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White Bristle Bush
Metalasia muricata
SA tree number
English: White Bristle Bush, Coast Metalasia, Blister Bush
Afrikaans: Blombos, Witsteekbossie, Steekbos, Blisterbos
Metalasia muricata, also known as the White Bristle Bush, is a tough and resilient South African shrub with small, heath-like leaves and clusters of papery, white or pinkish flower heads. It's a common sight in fynbos and other dry areas, adapted to harsh conditions.
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Distinguishing features:
Greyish, rounded, and sturdy shrub.
Needle-like leaves that are sharp-tipped and 6-18 mm long.
Honey-scented flowers that are typically white but can be pink or purple, appearing in dense terminal clusters.
Flowers predominantly in winter and spring.
Often found in coastal areas, especially on dunes.
Overall appearance:
A small to medium-sized, much-branched, evergreen shrub.
Height:
Typically grows to 0.5-1.5 metres in height.
Width:
Can spread 0.5-1.5 metres wide.
Leaves:
Alternate
Needle-like
6-18 mm long
Scattered
Sharp-tipped
Green-grey
Smooth or woolly
Flowers:
Honey-scented
Vary in colour from common white to pink or purple
Full bloom in winter
Occur in terminal clusters up to 60 mm in diameter
Flowering season:
Winter, Spring
Fruits:
Ribbed nutlet
With a bristly pappus
Seeds:
The seeds are small and wind-dispersed.
Bark:
The bark is greyish-brown and becomes rougher with age.
Thorns:
Absent.
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained soil, such as sandy or rocky soils.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun.
Ecology:
Widespread and abundant.
Pioneer plant: It comes up very fast after a fire, creating a "nursery" environment for other plants.
Adds mycorrhizae to the soil (along with other Asteraceae species).
Host plant for the Bullacris discolor (a grasshopper species), which is well camouflaged to match Metalasia muricata.
Distribution and habitat:
Widespread in the Western Cape, from the coast to the mountains.
Also occurs in other parts of South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Eastern Cape, and Lesotho.
Its wide distribution includes forms tolerant to frost and poor, sandy soils.
Found in coastal areas from the Cape Peninsula to the Ngqeleni-Mqanduli district in the Transkei.
Terrestrial major system.
Major habitats include Albany Thicket, Fynbos, and Indian Ocean Coastal Belt.
Description: Found in sand, often on dunes, always close to the sea, at elevations of 0-300 m.
Derivation of name:
The name Metalasia is derived from the Greek "Meta" (interpreted as backwards/reverse) and "lasios" (woolly), referring to the woolly undersides of the leaves.
muricata is derived from "murex," meaning roughened and with hard points like the shell of a mollusc.
Growing tips:
Can be grown from seed, but seeds from the Western Cape might need smoke treatment to help them germinate.
It's a low-maintenance and water-wise shrub.
An occasional pruning can help keep it looking neat.
It's a great choice for coastal gardens.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Plant family (derivation)