Justicia flava, the geelgarnaalbos

Yellow Justicia flava flowers are seen in the Mjejane Game Reserve from before summer to autumn.

In Afrikaans the plant is commonly known as the geelgarnaalbos, i.e. yellow prawn bush, referring to the appearance of the stem-tip inflorescences. Don’t ever eat a hairy green prawn covered in bright yellow patches.

This plant is used in traditional medicine in the treatment of coughs.

There are more J. flava photos with information elsewhere on this Site. Use the Search Box on this page to find them (Pooley, 1998; Germishuizen and Fabian, 1982; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; iSpot).