Braamfontein Spruit Ecological Corridor

Ivan van der Walt, Abrus
More information

Species source document

Egoli Granite Grassland species list, with plants recommended for landscaping

This species list is curated by Ivan van der Walt specifically for the Egoli Granite Grasslands area, which is the northern suburbs of Joburg. The list's primary purpose is to guide people doing landscaping in this area so that landscaping can have a significant role in supporting local biodiversity. There is no longer sufficient land to create nature reserves of enough size to conserve this vegetation type through traditional conservation, and because it occurs only here and nowhere else, other means are needed to enhance its chances of survival. Instead of one big reserve, we hope that you will dedicate your garden or park, or at least parts of it, to landscaping with these particular local species. This list favours plants that are more showy for landscaping purposes, but if you are working in an open veld area that can be rehabilitated or restored to veld, particularly ones with rivers or wetlands, then rehabilitation or rehabilitation should be your aim rather than landscaping. This list can then be used as a starting point and edited down to remove general regional species and in favour of more very local and sensitive species that suit the site and the aims of your rehabilitation or restoration project. A Practical Grass Selection Guide is a key additional resource available from Abrus. In addition, Ivan van der Walt and Abrus offer plants and consulting for this kind of project.

Linked species

The following 199 species were imported from this document.

Foambush

Aerva leucura
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow

Candelabra Aloe

Aloe arborescens
  • Flowering:
    Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
    Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Bees Birds Sunbirds

Highveld Spotted Aloe

Aloe davyana
  • Sun
    Bees Birds

Transvaal Aloe

Aloe transvaalensis
  • Flowering:
    Jan Feb Mar Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Bees Birds

Rand Grass Aloe

Aloe verecunda
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Sun
    Bees Birds Sunbirds

Ground Lily

Ammocharis coranica
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow

Lanceleaf Sunfig

Aptenia lancifolia
  • Sun
    Bees Butterflies

Curly Leaved Three-awn

Aristida aequiglumis

Ngongoni Three-awn

Aristida junciformis

Sprenger's Asparagus

Asparagus densiflorus
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Semi-shade Shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Birds

African Broom Asparagus

Asparagus virgatus
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov
    Semi-shade Shade
    Easy to grow
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Aster harveyanus

Blue Bushviolet

Barleria obtusa
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Butterflies Grazers/browsers

Barleria ovata
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Birds Butterflies

Barleria pretoriensis

Cats Whiskers

Becium obovatum

Rasp African Thistle

Berkheya radula

Cutleaf Water Parsnip

Berula erecta

False Love Grass

Bewsia biflora
  • Semi-shade Sun
    Grazers/browsers

Red-topped Signal Grass

Brachiaria serrata
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Birds

False Olive

Buddleja saligna
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Bees Birds

Sagewood

Buddleja salviifolia
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov
    Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Bees Birds Butterflies

Yellow Cat's Tail

Bulbine abyssinica
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

Bulbostylis burchellii
  • Semi-shade Sun

Num-num

Carissa bispinosa
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Butterflies

Lemonthorn Cassinopsis

Cassinopsis ilicifolia
  • Flowering:
    Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
    Semi-shade Sun
    Birds

White Stinkwood

Celtis africana
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Butterflies

Buffelgrass

Cenchrus ciliaris
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Grazers/browsers

Common Mock Scabious

Cephalaria zeyheriana
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Sun
    Bees

Chaetacanthus costatus

Fairy Stars

Chaetacanthus setiger
  • Semi-shade Shade

Swamp Chiron

Chironia palustris

Butterfly Green Lily

Chlorophytum bowkeri
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Semi-shade Shade
    Easy to grow
    Bees Birds Butterflies

Lobster Flower

Coleus neochilus
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

River Bushwillow

Combretum erythrophyllum
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds

African Yellow Dayflower

Commelina africana
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow

Pig's Ear

Cotyledon orbiculata
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Birds

Money Stonecrop

Crassula swaziensis

Orange River Swamplily

Crinum bulbispermum
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov
    Sun
    Easy to grow

Natal Swamplily

Crinum macowanii
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Sun

Southern Cabbagetree

Cussonia paniculata
  • Flowering:
    Feb
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds

Cabbage Tree

Cussonia spicata
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds

Showy Blue Ear

Cyanotis speciosa
  • Flowering:
    Jan Feb Mar Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Butterflies

Bermuda Grass

Cynodon dactylon
  • Flowering:
    Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Grazers/browsers

Dwarf Striped Umbrella Sedge

Cyperus albostriatus
  • Semi-shade Shade

Winged Sedge

Cyperus denudatus

Matting Sedge

Cyperus marginatus

Cyperus sexangularis

Woolly Grape

Cyphostemma lanigerum

Yellow Firelily

Cyrtanthus breviflorus
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun

Pink Trailing Iceplant

Delosperma cooperi

Witberg Sheepfig

Delosperma herbeum

Frilly Carnation

Dianthus mooiensis

Dicliptera clinopodia

Dicliptera eenii
  • Semi-shade Shade

Grassveld Karmedik

Dicoma anomala
  • Flowering:
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun

Silver Dollprotea

Dicoma zeyheri

Dierama medium mossii

Small Fortnight Lily

Dietes iridioides
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Shade Sun
    Easy to grow

Digitgrass

Digitaria eriantha
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Grazers/browsers

One-finger Grass

Digitaria monodactyla

Bladder Nut

Diospyros whyteana
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Shade Sun
    Hedge
    Bees Birds

South African Wild Pear

Dombeya rotundifolia
  • Flowering:
    Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Butterflies

Eleocharis dregeana

Finger Rush

Eleocharis limosa

Wire Grass

Elionurus muticus
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds

Cape Love Grass

Eragrostis capensis
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Blue Love Grass

Eragrostis chloromelas
  • Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

African Love Grass

Eragrostis curvula
  • Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Gum Grass

Eragrostis gummiflua
  • Semi-shade Sun
    Birds

Eragrostis lappula

Lehmann's Lovegrass

Eragrostis lehmanniana
  • Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Narrow Heart Love Grass

Eragrostis racemosa
  • Semi-shade Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Wilman Lovegrass

Eragrostis superb
  • Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Broad Curly Leaf

Eragrostis trichophora

Blue Gwarrie

Euclea crispa
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Birds

Autumn Pineapple Lily

Eucomis autumnalis
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow

Fan Grass

Eustachys paspaloides
  • Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Falkia oblonga

Fine Felicia

Felicia filifolia

Pale Felicia

Felicia muricata

Large-leaved Rock Fig

Ficus abutilifolia
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow

Red-leaved Fig

Ficus ingens
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds

Fimbristylis complanata

Forest Kammetjie

Freesia grandiflora
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Shade
    Easy to grow
    Butterflies

Blue Bellbush

Freylinia tropica
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge

Fuirena pubescens

Terracotta Gazania

Gazania krebsiana
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Butterflies Monkey beetles

Dragon's-head Lily

Gladiolus dalenii
  • Flowering:
    Feb
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Sunbirds

Common Otterbush

Gomphostigma virgatum
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Sun
    Birds

Velvet Raisin

Grewia flava
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Birds Butterflies

Common Spikethorn

Gymnosporia buxifolia
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Birds Butterflies

African Honeysuckle

Halleria lucida
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Bees Birds Sunbirds

False Bietou

Haplocarpha lyrata

Common Falsegerbera

Haplocarpha scaposa
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

Caterpillar Grass

Harpochloa falx
  • Flowering:
    Jan Feb Mar Apr Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Icholocholo

Helichrysum nudifolium
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

Wrinkly Everlasting

Helichrysum rugulosum
  • Flowering:
    Jan Feb Mar Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun

Purpleleaf Dollsrose

Hermannia depressa

Common Parsleytree

Heteromorpha trifoliata

Lavender-tree

Heteropyxis natalensis
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Sun
    Bees Butterflies

Bicolour Vernonia

Hilliardiella oligocephala
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Butterflies

Thatching Grass

Hyparrhenia hirta
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Butterflies Grazers/browsers

White Ribbon Flower

Hypoestes forskaolii
  • Semi-shade Shade

Narrow Stargrass

Hypoxis angustifolia

African Stargrass

Hypoxis hemerocallidea
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow

Shiny Stargrass

Hypoxis iridifolia

Silverleaf Stargrass

Hypoxis rigidula

Leafy Morning Glory

Ipomoea crassipes

Isolepis costata

Floating Club-rush

Isolepis fluitans

Wild Jasmine

Jasminum multipartitum
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Birds Butterflies

Juncus effusus

Leafy Rush

Juncus lomatophyllus

Lax Rush

Juncus oxycarpus

Ball Rush

Juncus punctorius

Salt Rush

Juncus rigidus

Justicia anagalloides
  • Flowering:
    Jan Feb Mar Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun

Kalanchoe paniculata
  • Semi-shade Sun

Nentakalanchoe

Kalanchoe rotundifolia
  • Flowering:
    Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow

Paddle Plant

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

Wild Peach

Kiggelaria africana
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Shade Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Bees Birds Butterflies

Sword Poker

Kniphofia ensifolia
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Sunbirds

Dwarf Poker

Kniphofia porphyrantha
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Sun
    Bees Birds Butterflies Sunbirds

White Flat-sedge

Kyllinga alba

Small Lantana

Lantana rugosa
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Birds

Cooper’s African Hyacinth

Ledebouria cooperi
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

Common African Hyacinth

Ledebouria revoluta
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

Kalahari Lionspaw

Leonotis ocymifolia schinzii

Cancer Bush

Lessertia frutescens
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Butterflies Sunbirds

Fever Tea

Lippia javanica
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May
    Sun
    Easy to grow

Bristle-leaved Red-top Grass

Melinis nerviglumis
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Butterflies

Natal Grass

Melinis repens
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Birds Butterflies

Watermint

Mentha aquatica
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Birds Butterflies

Horse Mint

Mentha longifolia
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Butterflies

Microchloa afra

Wireleaf Daba Grass

Miscanthus junceus

Cork Bush

Mundulea sericea
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Hedge
    Bees Birds Butterflies Sunbirds

Grassveld Lionface

Nemesia fruticans
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow

African Wild Olive

Olea europaea africana
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Birds

Basket Grass

Oplismenus hirtellus
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Semi-shade Shade
    Easy to grow
    Birds Butterflies

Grass-leaved Chincherinchee

Ornithogalum juncifolium

Buchu Boneseed

Osteospermum muricatum

Natal Buffalo Grass

Panicum natalense
  • Semi-shade Sun
    Birds

Jacket Plum

Pappea capensis
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Butterflies

Rock Pelargonium

Pelargonium dolomiticum

Lurid Storksbill

Pelargonium luridum
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow

Black Pelargonium

Pelargonium sidoides
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow

Hard Fern

Pellaea calomelanos
  • Semi-shade Shade Sun

Napier Millet

Pennisetum thunbergii

Speckled Spur-flower

Plectranthus ciliatus
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May
    Semi-shade Shade
    Easy to grow
    Bees Butterflies

Vicks Plant

Plectranthus hadiensis
  • Semi-shade Shade

Whorled Plectranthus

Plectranthus verticillatus
  • Flowering:
    Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
    Semi-shade Shade
    Easy to grow

Wild Leadwort

Plumbago zeylanica
  • Semi-shade Shade Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Bees Birds Butterflies

Herringbone Grass

Pogonarthria squarrosa
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Dec
    Sun

Purple Broom

Polygala virgata
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

Pycreus mundtii

African Buttercup

Ranunculus multifidus
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

Bushman Grape

Rhoicissus tridentata
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Shade Sun
    Hedge
    Birds Butterflies Sunbirds

White Veld Violet

Ruellia patula
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Butterflies

Mother-in-law's Tongue

Sansevieria aethiopica
  • Semi-shade Shade

Small Scabious

Scabiosa columbaria
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Butterflies

Paintbrush Lily

Scadoxus puniceus
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Shade
    Bees Birds Sunbirds

Crimson Bluestem

Schizachyrium sanguineum
  • Semi-shade Sun
    Grazers/browsers

Bristly Clubrush

Schoenoplectus corymbosus

Sand Lily

Scilla nervosa

Scirpus burkei

Nana Kunirhus

Searsia dentata
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Butterflies

African Sumac

Searsia lancea
  • Flowering:
    Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Bees Birds

Mountain Karree

Searsia leptodictya
  • Flowering:
    Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds

Blue Currantrhus

Searsia zeyheri

Succulent Bush Ragwort

Senecio barbertonicus
  • Flowering:
    Jun Jul Aug
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Butterflies

Woolly Grassveld Ragwort

Senecio coronatus
  • Flowering:
    Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow

Blushing Ragwort

Senecio erubescens

Nasturtium Ragwort

Senecio oxyriifolius
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

Common Hook-thorn Acacia

Senegalia afra

Eland's Pea

Senna italica

Vlei Bristle Grass

Setaria incrassata
  • Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Mountain Bristle Grass

Setaria lindenbergiana
  • Semi-shade Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Broadleaf Bristlegrass

Setaria megaphylla
  • Flowering:
    Feb
    Semi-shade Shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Butterflies Grazers/browsers

Golden Bristle Grass

Setaria sphacelata sericea
  • Semi-shade Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

African Bristlegrass

Setaria sphacelata sphacelata
  • Semi-shade Sun
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Fibrous Drop Seed

Sporobolus stapfianus

African Stachys

Stachys aethiopica
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees

Giant Carrion Flower

Stapelia gigantea
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow

Stapelia leendertziae
  • Flowering:
    Feb Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow

Stipa dregeana
  • Shade
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Coastal Camphorbush

Tarchonanthus camphoratus
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
    Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge

Kangaroo Grass

Themeda triandra
  • Flowering:
    Feb Mar Apr May Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Semi-shade Sun
    Easy to grow
    Grazers/browsers

Squarebase Clockvine

Thunbergia neglecta

Tricholaena monachne
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Birds Grazers/browsers

Hairy Trident Grass

Tristachya leucothrix
  • Semi-shade Sun
    Grazers/browsers

Highveld Wild Garlic

Tulbaghia leucantha

Sweet Thorn

Vachellia karroo
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow Hedge
    Birds Butterflies

Umbrella Thorn

Vachellia tortilis
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Birds

Bluebrush

Vernonia galpinii
  • Flowering:
    Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
    Sun

Silver Vernonia

Vernonia natalensis

Spotted Calla Lily

Zantedeschia albomaculata

Buffalo-thorn

Ziziphus mucronata
  • Flowering:
    Feb Dec
    Sun
    Easy to grow
    Bees Butterflies

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