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(Lobostemon fruticosus)
Eightday Healthbush (Lobostemon fruticosus)
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Di Turner
Public Domain
Image By:
Di Turner
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Di Turner | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Di Turner | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-09-28T13:50:21-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Lobostemon fruticosus, commonly known as the eightday healthbush or pajama bush, is a perennial shrub native to the fynbos region of South Africa, particularly thriving in mountainous areas and coastal flats. This plant typically grows to a height of 50–80 cm (20–31 in) and is characterized by its many long branches emerging from the base, creating a bushy appearance. The lower stems are woody, while the younger branches towards the tips are soft and red in color. The bell-shaped flowers, which are present between May and December, exhibit a striking range of pink to blue hues and are borne in compound cymes, adding ornamental value to gardens. The flowers are particularly attractive to pollinators, contributing to local biodiversity.
The eightday healthbush is valued for its medicinal properties and is used in traditional remedies. It is a popular garden plant due to its ease of maintenance, drought tolerance, and the beauty of its flowers. It is often used in border planting, as a ground cover, or in rock gardens. For successful cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade, medium to low water, and well-drained soil. Propagation is commonly done through cuttings, with different substrates affecting the success rate; peat is preferred in autumn, while a sand-polystyrene mix is better in spring. Despite its popularity, it is important to source this plant responsibly to avoid contributing to the decline of wild populations.CC BY-SA 4.0
The eightday healthbush is valued for its medicinal properties and is used in traditional remedies. It is a popular garden plant due to its ease of maintenance, drought tolerance, and the beauty of its flowers. It is often used in border planting, as a ground cover, or in rock gardens. For successful cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade, medium to low water, and well-drained soil. Propagation is commonly done through cuttings, with different substrates affecting the success rate; peat is preferred in autumn, while a sand-polystyrene mix is better in spring. Despite its popularity, it is important to source this plant responsibly to avoid contributing to the decline of wild populations.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 4-5 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, Blue
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, Low
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to the fynbos region of South Africa, particularly thriving in mountainous areas and coastal flats
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Lobostemon fruticosus, Echium fruticosum, Lobostemon fruticosus var. bergianus, Lobostemon scaber, Echium scabrum, Echium longifolium, Lobostemon obovatus, Echium africanum, Echium bergianum
GBIF Accepted Name: Lobostemon fruticosus (L.) H.Buek