Indigofera superba

Indigofera superba is an erect, willowy shrub with soft woody branches that grows to heights from 1 m to 3 m. Young stems are hairy, older ones turn reddish with scattered lenticels. This fast-growing and possibly short-lived species flowers in the first few seasons after fire.

Some hairless, yellow-green pods, thin and cylindrical, have been produced by this plant, while fresh flowers are also still developing. The dehiscent pods will turn brown as they ripen, releasing nearly globular seeds, somewhat flattened.

The species distribution is limited to the Klein River Mountains near Hermanus where it grows on lower slopes, usually in moist fynbos areas and along watercourses. While the species is rare, its small distribution area includes reserves contributing to a positive outlook for its future in nature (Bean and Johns, 2005; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; www.redlist.sanbi.org).