Transvaal red balloon / Transvaalse rooiklapperbos
Erythrophysa transvaalensis
Transvaal Red Balloon (e), Transvaalse Rooiklapperbos (a)
S.A. No.436.2
|
Type |
Size |
Characteristics |
Flowers |
Position |
|
Tree |
2 to 4 metres |
Hardy, semi-deciduous. |
Red and green |
Sun or semi shade |
This rare, hardy, semi-deciduous, drought resistant shrub or small tree is mostly multi-stemmed. It has lovely silvery-green foliage that glistens in the sun. The unusual spikes of red and green flowers are borne in Sept. and Oct. on bare branches or with just a few delicate leaves. These are followed by beautiful, huge red balloon like seed cases with large black seeds that adorn the tree for most of the year. The balloon-like seed cases are a mechanism to distribute the seeds that will float away from the mother plant when it rains. Plant in sun or semi-shade.
Size
up to 5m : in Gauteng
2 to 4m
