Botanical name

Harveya capensis

Family

Orobanchaceae

Common Name

Wit-inkblom, Ink Flower
Harveya capensis
Harveya capensis
Harveya capensis
Harveya capensis
Harveya capensis
Harveya capensis

Description

Slender, root parasite up to 40cm. Leaves are scale-like, lacking chlorophyll; flowers in loose racemes, tubular with flaring petals, white or tinged pink with a narrow yellow throat; calyx hairy; stigma knob-like.

Turns black when bruised or drying.

Host plants are various shrubs, including Cliffortia, Erica and Searsia.

Habitat

Lower slopes of mountains.

Flower Date

November to February