Harveya purpurea subsp. purpurea

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Botanical Name

Harveya purpurea subsp. purpurea

Family

Orobanchaceae -

The Broomrape family.

Pronunciation

HARV-ee-uh pur-PUR-ee-uh

Common Name(s)

English: Ink flower

Afrikaans: Inkblom

Plant Group

Parasite
Parasitic plants use the water and nutrients of their host plants to sustain themselves.
Veld Flower Small veld flowers of interest, rather than for their usefulness in the garden. Some of these plants have garden potential, particularly for less formal garden situations.

Plant Size

Small

Tree 4m to 8m

Shrub 50cm to 75cm

Perennial/ground cover 10cm to 20cm

Bulb 20cm to 30cm

Succulent 10cm to 20cm

Position

Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Specific Information

A ground hugging plant root parasite that attaches itself to the roots of grasses and receives its food from the host. Appears singly or in clusters of 4 - 5 flower stalks, about 15 cm high. When touched or bruised the surface becomes bluish-black. The flowers turns black when it dries.

This specimen was found in the Martindale area close to Grahamstown in a grassy area in which the fynbos species Erica copiosa is common. Growing in full sun and in the light shade of surrounding grasses.

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Flowers

Description

trumpet-shaped, opening to five lobes with bright yellow centers

Season

Spring to Summer Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

pink

Growth Rate

Plant Uses

Distribution and Habitat

from the Cedarberg to the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape east along the coastal belt to Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, mainly among fynbos, on stony slopes and sandy flats

Planting Suggestions

Not applicable.

Medicinal Uses

No data found.

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Author: Lorraine Solomon