Species of flowering plant in the family Francoaceae
Melianthus major
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Clade:
Tracheophytes
Clade:
Angiosperms
Clade:
Eudicots
Clade:
Rosids
Order:
Geraniales
Family:
Francoaceae
Genus:
Melianthus
Species:
M. major
Binomial name
Melianthus major
L.
Fruit capsules and seed of M. major
Melianthus major, the giant honey flower or kruidjie-roer-my-nie (Afrikaans for 'herb-touch-me-not'), is a species of flowering plant in the family Francoaceae. It is an evergreen suckering shrub, endemic to South Africa and naturalised in India, Australia and New Zealand.[1][2] It grows to 2–3 m (7–10 ft) tall by 1–3 m (3–10 ft) wide, with pinnate blue-green leaves 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, which have a distinctive musky odour. Dark red, nectar-laden flower spikes, 30–80 cm (12–31 in) in length, appear in spring, followed by green pods.[1][3] All parts of the plants are poisonous.[2]
The Latin binomial Melianthus major literally means "large honey flower".[4] The plant is also sometimes called honeybush (along with many other plants).
In cultivation this plant requires a sheltered location and may also need a protective winter mulch in temperate regions. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5][6]
Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus) on honey flower
Leaf
Leaves
^ ab"Melianthus major". PlantZAfrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
^ abBlood, Kate. (2001). Environmental weeds: a field guide for SE Australia. Melbourne, Australia: Bloomings Books. ISBN 0957908601.
^RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
^Coombes, Allen J. (2012). The A to Z of plant names. USA: Timber Press. pp. 312. ISBN 9781604691962.
^"RHS Plant Selector - Melianthus major". Retrieved 3 January 2021.
^"AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 64. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
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Weinmannianum) 10 ft (3 m). Fuchsias, Roses and Hydrangeas in variety Melianthusmajor, 10 ft (3.0 m) Musa japonica (Banana) Senecio grandiflora * Solanum...
elms (Ulmus procera), Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii), honey flower (Melianthusmajor) and white poplar (Populus alba). Common ground cover plants include...
and probably also in autumn. The larvae feed on Rhus undulata and Melianthusmajor. Larvae have been found inside hollow stems of their food plant, but...
(Francoa, Tetilla, Melianthus). In some genera some stamens (Pelargonium) or a complete whorl of stamens are reduced (Erodium, Melianthus). In the genera...
leaves of Melianthusmajor and Melianthus comosus and the bulbs of Cyanella lutea to make an ointment for wounds. It was also mixed with Melianthus comosus...
Global Information
Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus) on honey flower
Leaf
Leaves
