Image
Phylica Pubescens, African Shrub

A low bush
(1 of 7) (8425 views)

./PhylicaPubescensArboretumSantaCruz20100311_134456_2679BCX.jpg

Low bush densely covered with furry leaves that resemble flowers. It is said these leaves "glow" in the more yellow light of sunset and sunrise.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:44:56 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134456_2679BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

A thin but handsome bush
(2 of 7) (5339 views)

./PhylicaPubescensArboretumSantaCruz20100311_134502_2680BCX.jpg

Each stem is covered in tight leaves which makes this bush less dense looking that most bushes or shrubs. These plants become more woody and leggy as they age, so younger plants appear fuller than older plants.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:02 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134502_2680BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

Require little water
(3 of 7) (5045 views)

./PhylicaPubescensArboretumSantaCruz20100311_134508_2681BCX.jpg

These plants are from a dry climate so require less water once established. They should be planted in acid, sandy, well-drained sunny areas.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:08 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134508_2681BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

Branch ends are feathery
(4 of 7) (5035 views)

./PhylicaPubescensArboretumSantaCruz20100311_134516_2683BCX.jpg

The branch ends in feathery leaves that are a lighter color than the interior leaves. In season, a flower will appear at the tip of the branch.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:16 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134516_2683BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

The flower will be at the tip
(5 of 7) (5144 views)

./PhylicaPubescensArboretumSantaCruz20100311_134520_2684BCX.jpg

The flower will appear at the very tip in season. The light colored leaves surrounding the flower help to attract insects.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:20 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134520_2684BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

Appears as if a flower
(6 of 7) (5064 views)

./PhylicaPubescensArboretumSantaCruz20100311_134526_2685BCX.jpg

The entire branch tip appears as if it is a large flower. But the small flower will appear from inside the tip in the center.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:26 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134526_2685BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

A tip had fallen
(7 of 7) (5063 views)

./PhylicaPubescensArboretumSantaCruz20100311_134536_2686BCX.jpg

This is what the end of a branch looked like after the flower-like tip had fallen off.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:36 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134536_2686BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake


Subscribe to our mailing list for a Sunday summary of the week's stories.
* indicates required
Email Format
home contact topic guide top 25 photos video writing blogs upload terms privacy