Phylica rigidifolia

Phylica rigidifolia, in Afrikaans commonly known as hardebos (hard bush), is a stiff, evergreen shrub reaching heights from 60 cm to 1 m.

The species distribution is in the west of the Western Cape from Riversdale and Piketberg to the Bokkeveld Mountains and northwards in Namaqualand to the Kamiesberg in the Northern Cape. The photo was taken in the Biedouw Valley.

The habitat is fynbos slopes and flats in sandy soils. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Le Roux, et al, 2005; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).