Sparrmannia africana

Sparrmannia africana, commonly the Cape hollyhock or African hemp and in Afrikaans the Kaapse stokroos (Cape stick rose), is a shrub or small tree that reaches heights around 7 m (SA Tree List No. 457).

The species distribution is coastal from Riversdale in the Western Cape to Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape. The photo was taken in the Prince Alfred Pass.

S. africana is usually found in fynbos on rocky outcrops and along the margins of evergreen forests. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

The hairs on the leaves of the plant may irritate the skin, causing a rash.

The plant is cultivated for its flowers and the ease with which it adapts in the garden. The bark tissue used to be collected for making rope but not very successfully (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.shootgardening.co.uk; http://redlist.sanbi.org).