Agathosma ovata — designed for living In today’s smaller gardens, with their low maintenance requirements, Agathosma ovata is state of the art. by Mary Gould, Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens eldom does nature’s design Geers produce a plant ‘with so broad a spectrum of desirable qualities. ‘The genus Agathosma, a component of the fynbos vegetation, and often referred to as the buchu, belongs to the well- known citrus family Rutaceae. The familiar structure of the segments of an orange can be recognised in the fruit capsule. This family is characterised by the presence of oil glands dotted on the leaves, fruits and sometimes the petals. Each 412 species has a distinctive scent, some pleasantly aromatic and others rather pungent. The smell. one senses out on a walk through the fynbos is often that of a member of the Rutaceae. The fragrance intensifies as one brushes against the plants or lightly bruises the small leaves between the fingers, thus releasing the oil from the glands. ‘This oil, besides having medicinal qualities in some species, acts as a deterrent to plant feeders. Very few insects will attack the Rutaceae except, of course, the citrus caterpillar Fortunately Agathosma ovata features a low rating of delectability for this black and yellow/cream striped pest. At a critical temperature, oil is released from the glands, which then oxidises in the atmosphere creating a protective layer over the bush. This is believed to reduce excess transpiration, and toa lesser extent, scorching, during the long hot and dry summer months. Studies are currently being done on certain species that are known to contain substances that repel ultra violet rays ‘Agathosma ovata, also known as false buchu, is one of the few species of this South African endemic genus that has a distribution range extending beyond the fynbos biome and into the summer rainfall regions: It occurs on the mountains from Tulbagh, eastwards and to the coast, and to Table Mountain south east of Pietermaritzburg in jatal. There is great variation in this species, as regards both leaf size and plant height. In the hot dry Uniondale area this species is compact and spreading. The Jong leaf, of 10 to 15 mm, curls backwards at the tip forming a thorn-like process. This gives a very rough texture which possibly acts as a deterrent to grazing animals. In shaded, damp sites along the Otter Trail in the region of the Outeniquas Agathosma ovata will be encountered as a small tree (4m tall) with leaves elliptically ovate and up to 50 mm long. This ability to adapt to many varied environments is considered of great value horticulturally. Not only does this give a wide choice of plant size and habit, but also indicates a potential ease of cultivation, The Kirstenbosch Rutaceae collection boasts 9 forms of ‘Agathosma ovata in cultivation. The flower colours range from white to pink, to a darker pink with purple overtones. These forms of A. ovata have all been given cultivar names derived Veld & Flora December 199¢from their place of origin for ease of identification. This article describes the jieskraal form of Agathosma ovata, which is an evergreen, aromatic, much branched, compact shrub growing to about 800 mm in height and breadth. The leaves are typically ovate (10 to 15 mm long), which later develop the waxy feel of certain fynbos species. The five-petalled, star-shaped flowers, (8 mm broad), are borne in the leaf axils of the terminal growth. The flowering period is from May through to September. Dark pink flowers cover the entire bush, creating a magnificent show. ‘The growing requirements are a well drained, humus-rich, acid soil in full sun, or an area receiving sun for at least half the day. This plant will grow in the shade but flowering and flower colour are adversely affected. Moderate watering and the incorporation of a well balanced fertilizer in the soil will ensure vigorous growth. A light pruning at the end of the flowering season produces bushy growth and encourages more stems which will bear flowers. This pruning is more important when the plant is young, and less so when maturity is reached. ‘The joy of this plant's desirability, apart from the visual, lies in its response to cultivation and potential usage. It can be grown as a filler plant, clipped into a small hedge, used in the herb garden, grown in a pot or trained to sweep over the sides of a hanging basket or a wall. Further attributes are a resistance to wind, tolerance of hot dry conditions, colour in the winter garden and food for the bees. Cut stems last tolerably well in flower arrangements. Kluitjieskraal grows at a moderate to fast rate, and has a neat appearance. After flowering there is no evidence of tattiness. The little petals almost disappear, and become replaced by the developing seed capsules. Seed can be collected when the first capsule opens. This gives an idea of the size and stage of maturity for seed harvesting. Place the ripe, unopened capsules in a closed cardboard box or paper bag as the seed is released by an explosive mechanism. Sealed plastic retains any excess moisture and may cause rotting. Moisture loss is needed to shrink and harden the sheath enclosing the seed and hence trigger the mechanism which propels the seed out of the capsule (known as ballistic. dispersal). Plants grown from seed may not be true to type. Kluitjieskraal is cloned by means of cuttings from a selected colour form, but of course still retains genes that produce variation in plants grown from seed. Plants of Agathosma ovata, Kluitjieskraal, will become available from the Shop at Kirstenbosch. In time, when more trials have been conducted, the other forms of A. ovata will also be made available. w