Hibiscus pusillus

Hibiscus pusillus, commonly known as bladderweed or in Afrikaans the Terblansbossie (little Terblanche bush), is a multistemmed, low-growing shrublet reaching heights up to 30 cm. Both these common names are also used for H. trionum, a similar plant.

The specific name, pusillus, is a Latin word meaning very small, paltry or insignificant, referring to plant size or the short duration of open flowers.

The straggling plant growing decumbent stems from a perennial woody rootstock is sometimes also regarded as a perennial herb growing annual shoots.

The species distribution is widespread in southern Africa, found in all nine provinces of South Africa, although absent from the northwest including Namaqualand.

The habitat is diverse, the plants growing in rocky, dryish grassland, woodland, fynbos, mopaneveld and renosterveld, usually in clay soils. This plant may function as a pioneer on disturbed land. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

The plant is or has been used in dealing with bad dreams and as a love charm by some Zulus (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2009; Pooley, 1998; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Gledhill, 1981; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).