New flower discovered in South Africa

A tiny little purple-and-white flower found near Plettenberg Bay has been identified as a rare species of Fynbos, and a new discovery.

 

The plant discovery was announced by the Robberg Coastal Corridor Landowners’ Association on Tuesday.

 

This rare and previously undescribed species of the family Fabaceae is an exciting find and further entrenches the Robberg Coastal Corridor as home to several uncommon and unique plant species.

 

It was found on a 16km strip of land between Robberg and Harkerville, association chairman Chris von Christierson said.

 

The new plant, Psoralea vanberkela, with a unique purple and white flower, would be on display for the first time this week at the annual Cape Floral Kingdom Expo in Bredasdorp, in the Overberg region of the Western Cape.

 

"This rare and previously undescribed species of the family Fabaceae is an exciting find and further entrenches the Robberg Coastal Corridor as home to several uncommon and unique plant species," Von Christierson said.

 

The plant was discovered by Nicky van Berkel, a member of Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (Crew), which is a project of the SA National Biodiversity Institute.