Melianthus major flowering in Kirstenbosch

Melianthus major has large, deeply divided leaves. The leaf divides into narrow, opposite leaflet-like lobes or segments that have large, angular teeth along their margins. These strip-like leaf lobes droop just slightly, inclined at angles that produce striking effects. The leaf surface is hairless, but covered in a grey bloom.

The maroon flowers presented on strong peduncles are densely spread along the long, erect or curved racemes. The reddish petals are shorter than the maroon sepals in this species. The flowers appear at the end of winter and early in spring, contrasting elegantly against the colour of the foliage below (Manning, 2009; www.plantzafrica.com).