Plant Profile
Metalasia Muricata
Common names: White Bristle Bush
Plant Type :
Height :
Evergreen :
Indigenous :
Position :
Moisture :
Soil :
Wind :
Frost :
Shrub
Up to 4 m
Evergreen
Indigenous
Full Sun
Average water
Sandy Soil
Wind Resistant
Frost Resistant
Metalasia muricata bush is a greyish, rounded, sturdy shrub, 2-4 m tall, that is found in coastal to mountainous regions of southern Africa. Although not formally divided into subspecies, there are a number of different forms occurring in different areas of its wide geographical distribution.
Metalasia is widespread in the Western Cape, from the coast to the mountains. It also occurs in other parts of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Eastern Cape and Lesotho. Its wide distribution includes forms tolerant to frost, and poor, sandy soils.
Metalasia can be grown from seed; however, seed from the Western Cape responds better to smoke treatment. In a garden setting, it can be used as a filler to provide flowering and greyish interest throughout the year. It's a low maintenance and water-wise shrub that can do with an occasional pruning.
Foliage
Colour :
Use :
Other :
Identification Tool :
The leaves are alternate, needle-like, 6-18 mm long, scattered, sharp-tipped, green-grey and smooth or woolly.
Flower
Time : Colour :
Use :
Other :
Identification Tool :
Winter
White , Cream , Light Pink , Light Purple
Decorative , For Vase , Wild
Unspecified
- Flower morphology
The honey-scented flowers vary in colour from common white to pink or purple.
NOTES
In Lesotho the dried leaves are used as tea and in coastal regions the shrub is planted on dunes to stop erosion.
