Pavetta lanceolata Description, History & Interesting Facts:

The genus Pavetta is a large family of plants that are native to the warm areas of Africa, Asia and Australia. It comprises of about 400 species from the Old World tropics. In South Africa there are about 24 species, all of which grow in the summer rainfall regions of the country.

They belong to the gardenia (katjiepiering) family of plants and are grown for their sweetly scented flowers in summer. The flowers are full of nectar, attracting many insect pollinators, which in turn attract insect eating birds; and the clusters of fruits are relished by fruit eating birds. In the past the flowers were probably used in traditional wedding ceremonies, hence their common names. Several species are cultivated in gardens; including P. lanceolata, P. revoluta, P. cooperi and P. gardeniifolia. All species have small black dots on the leaves. These are bacterial nodes that fix nitrogen from the air, in much the same way as the roots of legumes fix nitrogen from the soil in their roots.

Pavetta lanceolata is a delightful South African plant which is fairly common in the summer rainfall regions; occurring from the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland, as well as Limpopo and Mpumalanga. It can usually be found on forest margins and river banks, or in bushveld; where it grows together with other plants.

It is loved for its masses of sweetly scented, starry white flowers with ivory styles; adding to its dainty appearance. The flowers can appear as early as September to January, but the peak flowering time is during November and December. The flowers are followed by dense clusters of black fruits. The bark is greyish-white and the leaves are a pleasing, glossy dark green.

In the Garden:

The weeping brides bush has a slightly weeping habit and can be trained into a small tree or shrub. It looks beautiful if planted alone as a specimen plant, or closely together as an informal hedge or screen. It is essential in the mixed shrub border and looks most effective if two or three plants are grouped together. It is highly recommended for small gardens and will attract sunbirds and butterflies to your garden.

Cultivation/Propagation:

The weeping brides bush is evergreen and grows best in warm, moist areas; growing well in coastal gardens and taking humidity. It varies greatly in height and spread, depending on climate. Under optimal conditions it can grow between 4 and 7m tall; but in the average garden it will vary between 2 to 4m tall.

It is tender to frost, but will grow surprisingly well in moderate frost regions if planted in the perfect position in the garden, where it is protected, and is covered every winter, until well established.

The weeping brides bush loves to grow in semi-shade to sun, but when the plants are young they will appreciate shade during the hottest time of the day. Once established they can take full sun. For best results, plant them in good, well-drained soil and water them well initially and regularly thereafter, as these plants are not very drought tolerant.

They can be pruned lightly once they have finished blooming.

Plants are propagated easily by seed or cuttings.

Caution:

Pavetta are poisonous and contain an unidentified toxin which causes myocarditis and sudden death due to acute heart failure.The condition is also known as gousiekte, hence the common name for P. schumannianii (poisonous bride's bush). Two species in the genus; P.harborii and P. Schumannianii, are known to be poisonous to stock.