Printzia polifolia

Printzia polifolia is a multistemmed, much-branched shrub reaching heights from 1 m to 2 m.

The alternate leaves are oblong to elliptic or obovate, tapering at tips and bases. The leaf margins are entire, curving in laterally and sometimes wavy. The petioles are short and winged. The soft blades are whitish woolly, more on the lower surfaces than on top. Leaf dimensions are 10 mm long and 5 mm wide.

The species distribution is widespread in the Western Cape, slightly present in the southwest of the Northern Cape near Nieuwoudtville and in the west of the Eastern Cape as far as Gqeberha. The photo was taken on a northern foothill of the Swartberg Mountains.

The habitat is fynbos and renosterveld in mostly clay, but also sandstone and limestone derived soils. The species is not considered threatened in habitat early in the twenty first century (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).