Notobubon galbanum

Notobubon galbanum, commonly known as the blister bush, in Afrikaans as bergseldery (mountain celery) and previously scientifically as Peucedanum galbanum, is a robust, resin-scented shrub that grows to heights from 1 m to 3 m. The genus, generally referred to as hog’s fennel, forms part of the Apiaceae or carrot family, but this species is inedible and shouldn’t be touched as it is bound to live up to its (English) common name. It has a taproot and hollow stems that branch sparsely.

The distribution in the Western Cape from Elandsbaai and Piketberg to the Cape Peninsula and eastwards as far as Albertinia.

The habitat is mainly upper fynbos slopes, often sheltered among rocks where the soil may be clayey or sandy, in ravines and damp areas in winter rainfall conditions. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).