Bush-tickberry

Edibility: 

The fleshy, egg-shaped fruits are edible and sweet. Historically, the bietou fruit was an important food source for the Khoi and San people.

Toxicity: 

One source mentions that the fruit should not be eaten if suffering from sinusitis, but no general toxicity is reported.

Uses:

• Ornamental Plant: An attractive garden asset, especially striking in winter with its bright yellow flowers.

• Pioneer Plant: Very useful as a pioneer shrub for new gardens or for restoring denuded veld, as it grows rapidly and helps stabilise soil.

• Hedge/Screen: Can be pruned into a hedge or used as a screening plant.

• Wildlife Attraction:Birds: The fleshy fruits are very popular among fruit-eating birds, earning it the common name "tickberry" or "brother berry" (as birds often share the berries).
  Insects: The flowers attract insects, including bees, ants, and beetles, for nectar.
  Butterflies: It is a larval food-plant for at least six species of butterflies and caterpillars of several moth species.
  Tortoise Beetles: It hosts at least four species of tortoise beetles.
  

• Traditional Medicine:The fruit is believed by the Khoi, Zulu, and Xhosa to contain blood-strengthening and purifying qualities, used as a tonic for recovery from illness and male impotency.
  Berries are said to clear adolescent acne and skin problems.
  In Zulu medicine, an infusion of the leaves is used as an enema to treat fevers.
  In Lesotho, leafy branches are burned to cure "madness."
  Juices from the fruit are traditionally administered by Zulus, Xhosas, and Sothos in small, frequent doses as "blood strengtheners" and "purifiers" for men suffering from impotence.
  

• Historical Uses: Settlers used the ash from burnt stems and leaves to make soap (as they contain alkaline substances).

Ecology:

• Pioneer Species: Acts as a pioneer plant, often appearing after fires, and can initiate the conversion of grassland to forest by providing shelter for slower-growing species.

• Pollination: Its yellow flowers attract all the main insect pollinators, including a large number of butterfly species and bees, which find it particularly attractive.

• Seed Dispersal: The fleshy fruits are highly attractive to fruit-eating birds (e.g., Dark-capped Bulbul) and monkeys, which consume them and aid in seed dispersal.

• Larval Host: Important larval food-plant for several butterfly and moth species.

• Fodder: Useful as fodder for animals in the dry areas of the winter rainfall region.

Distribution and habitat: 

Osteospermum moniliferum is widespread across South Africa.

• South African Provinces: It is found in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and Western Cape.

• Habitat: It occurs in full sun in well-drained situations, including coastal dunes, hills, mountains (fynbos or grassland), or rocky terrain. It is often part of natural shrubbery or sometimes grows as a solitary individual. It thrives in strandveld, fynbos, seafront, and grassland gardens. It can grow at altitudes up to 2,400 metres.

Derivation of name:

• The genus name Osteospermum comes from the Greek words osteon (meaning 'bone') and sperma (meaning 'seed'), referring to the hard, bone-like fruits.

• The specific name moniliferum is Latin and means "bearing a necklace". This refers to the shiny, fleshy fruits that are often arranged in a ring on the margins of the daisy flowerheads, resembling a necklace.

• The former name Chrysanthemoides means 'resembling the genus Chrysanthemum', referring to its daisy-like yellow flowers.

Historical aspects: 

For many years, Osteospermum moniliferum was known by the scientific name Chrysanthemoides monilifera. However, in 2012, it was reclassified back into the Osteospermum genus. The common name "Bietou" is derived from the Khoisan name for the plant, indicating its long traditional use as a food source.

Interesting facts:

• This plant is nicknamed "boneseed" because its hard, dry fruits really do look like tiny bones!

• The "tickberry" name comes from how the ripe, black fruits might look a bit like ticks – but don't worry, they're edible for both birds and humans!

• It's a superhero in new gardens! Because it grows so fast and helps stabilise soil, it's often called a "pioneer" plant, paving the way for other species to grow.

• In Australia, where it was introduced to stop soil erosion, it actually became a serious weed! Shows how powerful this plant can be.

Growing tips:

• Propagation: Easily grown from both seeds and cuttings.Seeds: Seed germination can be challenging and often requires scarification (either mechanical or chemical treatment to break the seed coat). Sow seeds in sandy, well-drained soil in spring. Seedlings are fast-growing and should be transplanted to small containers once they are large enough to handle.
  Cuttings: Root readily from semi-hardwood cuttings taken during the growing season.
  

• Planting: Requires a sunny, well-drained position and sufficient space to grow, as it can spread. It thrives in strandveld, fynbos, seafront, and grassland gardens.

• Watering: Its semi-succulent nature makes it drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly during dry periods for optimal growth.

• Frost: It is generally hardy, but protection from extreme cold might be beneficial in very severe frost areas, especially for young plants.

• Maintenance: A rapid grower. Regular pruning can help maintain its shape, density, and tidiness, especially as older plants can become woody and untidy after 8-12 years and may need replacing. Adding ample compost annually during winter or spring will enhance its growth and performance.

• Pests/Diseases: Relatively pest-free and generally an easy-care plant.