Melianthus major

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]

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  Sunbird (Cinnyris chalybeus) on honey flower
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  Leaf
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  Leaves

See also

• Melianthus comosus, the honey flower

References

1. "Melianthus major". PlantZAfrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
2. Blood, Kate. (2001). Environmental weeds: a field guide for SE Australia. Melbourne, Australia: Bloomings Books. ISBN 0957908601.
3. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
4. Coombes, Allen J. (2012). The A to Z of plant names. USA: Timber Press. pp. 312. ISBN 9781604691962.
5. "RHS Plant Selector - Melianthus major". Retrieved 3 January 2021.
6. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 64. Retrieved 4 April 2018.

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