Churl bush


Churl bush

Tetragonia fruticosa

Scientific name

A scrambling shrub used for dune stabilisation and eaten by game, livestock and bees (pollen and nectar).

Seeds become light and papery and are dispersed by wind.

Granite and sandstone from sea level to 1100m.

A south African endemic

Propagation instructions

By cutting

In winter in shady spots you can take 15cm cuttings just below the node, remove most leaves except the top few, and plant out directly into moist soil. Cover with leaves or grass mulch.

In summer: 1) Cut 10 to 15cm sections below the node (part of the stem where the leaves grow from), 2) remove seeds, flower and most leaves except the top two sprouts 3) it is optional to use commercial rooting hormone or cinnamon and honey for the root tip to improve rooting 4) place in a 2cm hole and pat in 5) spray twice daily in the morning and evening, focussing on the leaves at first and then on keeping the soil moist after a few weeks when the plants starts growing showing that it has taken root.

References and further reading

Wikipedia page »

Image credit: gawie
We currently have no seeds of this species in our seedbanks. Do you have any seeds or do you know where we can get some? Get in touch!

This table below shows how many plants we are trying to obtain for this species.

Site Area Quantity
Site #65 Rondebosch 20
Total 20

Important characteristics

Conservation status: Least Concern

This species was selected because it has various important characteristics.

Drought-resistant

Pioneer species

Easy to grow

Can be used as a hedge

It provides food for:

Honeybees/flies

Tetragonia fruticosa is indigenous to: Cape Flats Dune Strandveld Cape Flats Dune Strandveld

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