Jamesbrittenia racemosa

Jamesbrittenia racemosa, commonly known as the starburst jaybee is an aromatic annual, reaching heights around 40 cm. It was variously named scientifically in the past while “spending time” in the Chaenostoma and Sutera genera.

The opposite, stalked leaves are elliptic with pointed tips and unevenly serrated margins, growing from soft, fleshy stems. The leaves have sunken midribs and ascending lateral veins as seen from above. Glistening glandular hairs are present on the blades. The leaves become up to 5,5 cm long.

The species distribution is in Namaqualand, the west of the Northern Cape and the northwest of the Western Cape. It also grows in southern Namibia.

The habitat is sandy flats, granite outcrops and gravelly watercourses. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Manning, 2009; Le Roux, et al, 2005; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).