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Grass-loving Cape Gorse
Aspalathus chortophila
SA tree number
English: Grass-loving Cape Gorse, Tea Bush
Afrikaans: Grasgaringbos
Zulu: Impishimpishi
Historical scientific names: Aspalathus graminifolia, Aspalathus ericifolia var. grandiflora
Misapplied scientific names: Aspalathus frankenioides
Aspalathus chortophila, affectionately known as Giggling Cape Gorse or Grass-loving Cape Gorse, is a charming indigenous fynbos shrub. It's recognised by its fine, needle-like leaves and its lovely clusters of small, bright yellow, pea-shaped flowers, often appearing like a golden haze in the fynbos.
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Distinguishing features:
Relatively small, upright to sprawling shrub.
Fine, needle-like leaves, often clustered.
Clusters of small, bright yellow, pea-shaped flowers.
Flowers are often fragrant.
A prominent component of fynbos vegetation.
Overall appearance:
The Giggling Cape Gorse (Aspalathus chortophila) is typically a small, upright or sprawling shrub with slender branches covered in fine, green, needle-like leaves. When in bloom, it becomes adorned with numerous small, bright yellow, pea-shaped flowers, creating a lovely contrast against the green foliage.
Height:
Typically grows 30 cm to 1 metre tall.
Width:
Can spread to a width of 30 cm to 1 metre.
Leaves:
The leaves are very small, fine, and needle-like (linear-subulate), typically 5-15 mm long. They are often clustered in fascicles (small bundles) along the stems. The colour is green, sometimes with a slightly greyish tinge.
Flowers:
The flowers are typical pea-shaped (papilionaceous) flowers of the Fabaceae family, bright yellow in colour. They are small, usually about 5-10 mm long, and are borne in dense, often terminal, clusters (racemes or heads) at the ends of branches or in leaf axils. They can be sweetly scented. Aspalathus chortophila flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts.
Flowering season:
In South Africa, it generally flowers primarily in spring and early summer (around August to November), though flowering can extend depending on conditions.
Fruits:
The fruit is a small, flattened, oblong pod (legume), typical of the pea family. It ripens from green to brown and usually contains a few seeds.
Seeds:
Each pod contains a few small, roundish to kidney-shaped seeds.
Stems:
The stems are relatively thin and often hairy when young, becoming somewhat woody with age but not developing true bark.
Thorns:
None.
Roots:
It has a fibrous root system, which helps it to establish in nutrient-poor fynbos soils. Many Aspalathus species have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules, improving soil fertility.
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained, acidic, nutrient-poor, sandy soils, typical of fynbos environments. It does not tolerate rich, heavy, or waterlogged soils.
Aspect:
Requires full sun. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and adapted to windy conditions. It is moderately frost-tolerant, typically recovering from light to moderate frosts.
Ediblity:
Not considered edible. While some Aspalathus species (like Rooibos, Aspalathus linearis) are used for beverages, Aspalathus chortophila is not known to be used for human consumption.
Toxicity:
No specific toxicity is widely reported. As with any wild plant, it is not recommended for consumption.
Uses:
Primarily used as an ornamental plant in fynbos gardens, rockeries, and water-wise landscapes. Its fine texture and bright yellow flowers make it an attractive filler plant or groundcover in suitable conditions. It is excellent for biodiversity gardening, attracting pollinators.
Ecology:
The yellow, pea-shaped flowers attract a variety of insect pollinators, particularly bees, which are essential for its reproduction. As a fynbos component, it contributes to the unique biodiversity of this biome. Many plants in the Fabaceae family have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules, which enrich the nutrient-poor fynbos soils, benefiting other plants in the ecosystem.
Distribution and habitat:
Aspalathus chortophila is indigenous to the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. It is a characteristic species of fynbos vegetation, typically growing on mountain slopes, flats, and coastal areas, often in sandy or rocky soils where it forms part of the low shrub layer.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Aspalathus is derived from the Greek word "aspalathos," an ancient name for a spiny, aromatic shrub.
The species name chortophila comes from the Greek "chortos" (grass or pasture) and "philos" (loving), referring to its preference for grassy or open fynbos habitats.
Common names like "Grass-loving Cape Gorse" also reflect this habitat preference.
Historical aspects:
As a component of the fynbos biome, Aspalathus chortophila has long been part of the ecological fabric of the Cape. While not as economically significant as its famous relative Rooibos, it is an important part of the region's rich botanical heritage. Its cultivation contributes to conserving fynbos biodiversity and provides an excellent indigenous alternative to more water-intensive or invasive alien plants in gardens, helping to promote the unique flora of the Cape.
Interesting facts:
This plant is a true fynbos survivor! It thrives in the tough conditions of the fynbos, with its dry, nutrient-poor soils and windy weather.
When it blooms, it's like a burst of sunshine, with countless tiny, bright yellow flowers turning the bushes into a golden spectacle.
It's part of the pea family, even though it doesn't look like a pea plant! Its flowers are exactly the same shape as a sweet pea flower.
This shrub is a silent hero for the soil; like many plants in its family, it helps to put nitrogen back into the ground, which is like giving the soil a natural fertiliser boost!
Growing tips:
Propagation: Best grown from seed. Seeds often require hot water treatment or scarification (lightly scratching the seed coat) to aid germination.
Planting: Requires full sun and excellent drainage. Plant in sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil. Do not over-fertilise.
Watering: Very water-wise. Water sparingly once established. Avoid overwatering.
Frost Protection: Moderately frost-tolerant. Can withstand light to moderate frosts.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Avoid disturbing the roots once established. Pruning can be done lightly after flowering to maintain shape.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Evergreen or shrub
Plant family:
Fabaceae (Latin plant name) - Order: Fabales