Brunia

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General Description/History

This South African native is relatively rare as a cut flower/foliage, but well worth the hunt, particularly if it is in flower. Branches are long and slender, with the dense foliage resembling a pine tree, except the ‘needles’ are softer and covered in hairs. There are many leaves per stem, so that they resemble a feather, a bit like Persoonia, or Snottygobble.

The flower-heads are very striking, and branches are mostly sold with the flower-heads still in bud. Each flower is tiny, but many are crowded together to form flattened cones or knobs that are white with green speckles on top and brown/black underneath. The flower-heads (cones) are grouped together in circular pannicles of up to 25 or 30 cones each.

The flowers open in late summer in a ring, starting at the outside of the flower-head and working inwards. Each tiny flower is about 7 mm long, white with yellow stamens sticking out, giving the inflorescence a yellowish tinge. Fully open flowers look a bit like open Pimelea flowers.

Available: Foliage: all year; Flowers: February to April

What to look for

  • If possible, buy before the flowers are open as branches with cones last longer than open flowers;
  • Leaves should have a glossy green appearance;
  • Avoid bunches with flowers showing brown marks.

Flower Care

  1. Keep cool at all times.
  2. Strip leaves from the lower half of each stem and wash stem ends thoroughly.
  3. Recut at least 2 cm off each branch and place in water immediately.
  4. Don’t use a preservative as this may open the flower-buds.
  5. Add a half cap of bleach to the vase
  6. Replace vase water with fresh water every 2 days.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

Brunia albiflora is serotinous, i.e. it stores its seeds and accumulates them annually and they are released after the parent is killed by fire.

Botanical Name: Brunia albiflora

Common Names: coffee bush, White-flowered brunia

Stem Length: 30 – 80 cm

Country of Origin: South Africa

Available Colours: Black, Brown, Green, Red, White, Yellow

Season: Summer,Autumn,Winter,Spring

Availability: January,February,March,April,May,June,July,August,September,October,November,Decemeber