THE RESTIO COLLECTION IN THE KLAASSENBOSCH GREEN BELT

Taking a deep breath, scan the following paragraph:

According to Wikipedia the Restionaceae family (also referred to as the Restios) consists of tufted or rhizomatous, herbaceous plants, rush-like or bamboo-like in overall appearance. They belong to a group of monocotyledons that includes several similar families, such as the sedges, rushes and true grasses. They have green, photosynthetic stems and leaves that have been reduced to sheaths. Their flowers are extremely small and in spikelets, which in turn make up the inflorescences. Male and female flowers are on separate plants and like grasses are wind-pollinated or anemophilous.

 

Now, in simple language:

 

1 Background: the Restionaceae

Africa is the continent with the largest number of Restio species, namely 370, and most are found close to the southern coastal regions. Australia has only 150 species, New Zealand has 6, and South America has only 1.

 

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvPez4aV7Pj-JZsrcj_zGb2hqA5k04LXYw6fZCtdVixWXtKRU-The Cape Pensinsula has an amazing 102 species, making Cape town the Restio capital of the world. (Note that in contrast the Pensinsula has only 12 locally indigenous Proteas and even fewer Leucospermums.)

Proteas and Pincushions are seen in many gardens and parks, but in contrast the Restios have been largely ignored, in spite of the rich variety of species. When flowering, many of the Restios are quite spectacular and the public can use these restios profitably in their gardens. By having a variety of Restios growing in the Green Belt, there is a possibility that the public may consider them as suitable plants for their gardens.

 

THE RESTIO CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!

 

 

2 The Restio garden in Klaassenbosch

The Restios need very little attention after being planted. To thrive, the various species require different soil types, moisture content, amount of shade, etc. This is summarised in the table below. The information has been extracted from an excellent book on the Restionaceae, by Els Dorrat-Haaksma and H. Peter Linder. The book has colour photograph of superior quality, probably the best reproductions that have been published on the Restios. See bottom page for details.

 

The only available space in the green belt was a patch located inside the retention dam near the Hohenort Hotel, meaning that in the event of strong rain the area can become flooded. (GPS       ).

 

Of the 102 locally indigenous Restio species only about 8 types could be found at local nurseries, but those planted give at least an idea of the diversity.

 

 

 

 

The Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden has a large area near the top gate dedicated to Restios. The species found there are not all locally indigenous, but it demonstrates the variety found in South Africa. It is well worth a visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 The species planted.

The table gives some information

on the conditions required by some species, and those that were planted.

 

Genus

Species

Height

Diameter

Dry?

Moist?

Full sun?

Semishade

Planted

Cannomois

grandis (see below the table)

Elegia

capensis

cuspidata

 

1

y

y

2

fenestrata

0,6

y

2

fistulosa

0,7

y

tectorum Fishoek

1

y

y

y

2

tectorum hoog

2

Restio

bifurcus

1

y

y

1

brachiatus

0,8

dispar

1

y

multiflorus

1,5

y

y

2

paniculata

2

y

y

y

sieberi (Ischiolepis)

 

1,5

y

2

subverticilata (Isch)

y

y

y

2

Rhodocoma

fruticosa

0,75

y

y

Thamnochortus

bachmannii

0,8

y

y

 

 

The Cannomois grandis is one of the larger Restios, growing to a height of 4 m. This photo was taken in Kirstenbosch.

 

                                                One level up

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Els Dorrat-Haaksma; H. Peter Linder » Title: Restios of the Fynbos » ISBN: 9781920544003 » Format: Softcover » Release Date: October 2012 » Imprint: Nature » Pages: 216 » Price: R240.00

This field guide to the Restionaceae, or Cape reeds, commonly called restios, unpacks a unique family of fynbos plants found at the southern tip of South Africa. Beautifully illustrated with photographs and over 400 colour images (scanned from living plants), this new edition of Els Dorrat-Haaksma's respected guide has now been revised, updated and freshly designed for greater ease of use. It will help demystify restios, a less known component of the fynbos – one that has in recent years become increasingly popular with gardeners and landscape designers as restios find their rightful place amongst the 'architectural' plants. It will be welcomed by all nature lovers, whether tourists, hikers, gardeners or botanists (both amateur and professional). - See more at: http://www.randomstruik.co.za/books/restios-of-the-fynbos/4794#sthash.03OHlnG9.dpuf