Environmental Guidelines
Milnerton Racecourse Plant Species List
The species on this plant list are recommended for planting in Royal Ascot. Most are indigenous to the fynbos region; all grow well in local conditions. All these plants are water-wise and can survive dry summer periods with a minimum of water.
This list is not exclusive, anybody wishing to use species not on the list may apply to the Environmental Management Committee for approval in terms of section 2.6(g) of the Operational Environmental Management Plan.
This plant list was revised in January 2012, and updated in January 2013.		Print these documents: » Environmental Do's and Don'ts. » Do's and Don'ts for Maintenance and Renovations » Indigenous Plant Species List. » Architectural Guidelines
Plants in the following categories are listed below:
	» Trees and large shrubs
	» Small Shrubs, Perennials & Groundcovers
	» Restios & Grasses
	» Succulents
Trees & Large Shrubs
Botanical Name Common Name Description & Natural Distribution (Click on picture for larger view) 1 Acacia karroo Sweet thorn / Soetdoring Grows up to 15 m tall with sweet scented flowers in summer and silvery white thorns. Southern Africa – from low-lying areas to highveld. 2 Acacia xanthophloea Fever tree / Koorsboom Fast-growing tree with yellow bark up to 15m tall with bright yellow ball-like flowers. Although not indigenous to Western Cape, it grows well and is often used in city landscapes as a feature tree. From KwaZulu Natal northwards to Kenya. 3 Brachylaena discolor Silver oak / Kusvaalbos A shrub or small tree up to 10m in height. Usually developing a multi- stem or branching low down. Coastal region from Eastern Cape to Mozambique. 4 Buddleja salviifolia Sage wood Shrub that grows to a height of 5 m bearing cream to lilac flowers with an orange ‘eye’. In summer/ autumn. Sage-like dark green leaves on top and silvery white beneath. Western and Eastern Cape northwards to tropical Africa. 5 Canthium inerme Turkey berry Commonly between 3m and 7m high, this tree may be single or multi-stemmed, with main stems achieving diameters of up to 360 mm. Coast from Cape to Mozambique, inland to Mpumalanga and Zimbabwe. 6 Carissa macrocarpa Num-Num / Natal Plum Thorny shrub that grows to 3 m with white flowers and red fruit. From Eastern Cape through KwaZulu-Natal to Mozambique. 7 Celtis africana White stinkwood Deciduous tree growing up to 12 m high. Normally has a single, straight bole branching to form a dense, semi-circular canopy. Its trunk has a smooth, pale grey to white bark that may be loosely peeling in old trees and sometimes has horizontal ridges. Wide range of habitats from Cape Peninsula to Ethiopia. 8 Cunonia capensis Butterspoon tree/ Red alder / Rooiels Evergreen with glossy foliage and produces sprays of dense fragrant cream flowers from February to May. Can reach up to 5m in open sun. Cape to Mozambique, mainly in or near Afromontane forests. 9 Ekebergia capensis Cape Ash / Essenhout Medium to large size tree, evergreen and grows to about 10 m high. Glossy dark green leaves with red fruit in autumn. Flowers in spring. Eastern Cape northwards to Sudan & Ethiopia. 10 Ilex mitis African holly / Waterboom Large evergreen tree with straight trunk and rounded canopy, with small white flowers goring between leaf axils. Berries attract many kinds of birds. Only species of Ilex in South Africa, found throughout Africa. 11 Olea europaea   subsp. africana Wild Olive Small to medium size (5—10 m high). Greenish white flower heads in spring/summer season. Purplish black fruit in autumn. From South Africa through Africa, Arabia, India, China. 12 Podocarpus latifolius Broad-leaved yellowwood A large evergreen tree up to 35 m high and 3 m trunk diameter, NOT suitable for small gardens. Western Cape to KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. 13 Salix mucronata Cape willow / Kaapse wilger Semi-deciduous to evergreen growing up to 15m with open crown and slightly drooping branches along streams and riverbanks. Southwestern, southern and Eastern Cape. 14 Searsia pendulina (Rhus pendulina) White Karee / Witkaree Height of 5 m or more in with willow-like habit and attractive foliage. In narrow strip along Orange River from the Free State through the Northern Cape to southern Namibia. 15 Sideroxylon inerme White Milkwood Small to medium size (4—15 m high) with strong scented greenish white flowers in summer. Coastal woodlands from Western Cape to KwaZulu-Natal, also inland to Gauteng and Zimbabwe. 16 Syzygium cordatum Water Berry / Waterbessie Medium-size evergreen tree with creamy white to pink flowers throughout summer. KwaZulu-Natal northwards to Mozambique and Zimbabwe. 17 Tarchonanthus camphoratus Camphor Bush / Kamferbos Can reach up to 6 meters in height. The twigs and younger stems are white-felted, as are the undersides of the leaves. The upper leaf surface is dark olive-green. Flowers are usually present from December to May. Widespread in Southern and Eastern Africa and Arabia.
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Small Shrubs, Perennials and Groundcovers
Botanical Name Common Name Description & Natural Distribution (Click on picture for larger view) 18 Agapanthus africanus African lily / 'Nile lily' Perennials bearing blue heads above clumps of strap-like leaves in summer. Grows almost anywhere with adequate watering. Cultured varieties have various shades of blue and white blooms. Cape Peninsula to Swellendam. 19 Agapanthus praecox Agapanthus / ‘Nile lily’ Perennials bearing blue heads above clumps of strap-like leaves in summer. Grows almost anywhere with adequate watering. Cultured varieties have various shades of blue and white blooms. Western to Eastern Cape. 20 Agathosma capensis Buchu / Anysboegoe An evergreen shrub, 300-900 mm high. Grown among taller vegetation, it can reach a height of 1.5 m. It forms a single stem at the base and grows into a small, rounded bush. Western to Eastern Cape. 21 Agathosma ovata False buchu / Basterboegoe Evergreen shrub growing to height of 500mm and spread of 600mm. Dark pink flowers cover the entire bush from May to September. Western Cape to KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. 22 Arctotis acualis Renoster marigold / Renoster gousblom Stemless perennial 200 - 300 mm tall. Large, solitary, daisies with dark centres and bright yellow, orange, salmon pink or cream rays are borne on flower stalks arising directly from the rootstock. Renosterveld, fynbos, succulent karoo and nama karoo biomes. 23 Aristea capitata (Aristea major) Tall aristea Groundcover that grows in large clumps up to 2 m. Prefer waterside or full shade areas. Flowers in spring/autumn. Lower mountain slopes of southwestern Cape. 24 Barleria obtusa Bush Violet Small herbaceous shrub growing to 1 m. Bears masses of violet-blue flowers in autumn. Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga & Limpopo. 25 Barleria repens Small bush violet/ Bosviooltjie Small rounded shrub, about 0.7m high, producing masses of violet tubular flowers from late summer to autumn. Woodland and forest from KwaZulu-Natal northwards to tropical Africa. 26 Chasmanthe aethiopica Flames / Pennats Bright green sword-shaped leaves up to 1 m with orange, yellow and red spike of flower to 1,5 m. Coastal Western to Eastern Cape. 27 Chrysanthemoides monilifera Bietou / Bush-tick Berry Large spreading shrub bearing bright yellow daisy flowers in winter/spring followed by edible fruit. Widely along coast of Southern Africa and inland in eastern regions. 28 Clivia miniata Bush lily / Boslelie Clump forming perennial with dark green leaves arising from a fleshy underground stem. The flowering heads of brilliant orange (rarely yellow), trumpet shaped flowers appear mainly in spring. Forests of Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Swaziland. 29 Coleonema album Cape May / Klip Buchu Bushy shrub that grows to a height of 1 m with pale yellow-green foliage and masses of tiny white flowers in winter and spring. Saldanha Bay to Bredasdorp. 30 Dietes bicolor Yellow Wild Iris /  Peacock Flower Grows to 750 mm high with yellow flowers in spring. Eastern Cape (Bathurst region only). 31 Dietes grandiflora Large Wild Iris Dark green leaves to 1 m or more with white flowers in summer. Eastern coastal area of Southern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. 32 Eriocephalus africanus Wild rosemary / Kapokbos Bushy evergreen shrubs up to 1 metre with a silvery, grey appearance. Flowering times vary, the best displays are in winter when the whole shrub is covered in small, white flowers. Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Namaqualand. 33 Euryops pectinatus Grey Leaved Euryops Grey-leaved shrub to a height of 1 m with bright yellow flower heads in spring. Southwestern Cape – Gifberg to Cape Peninsula. 34 Euryops virgineus River Resin Bush Shrub growing to a height of 1,5 m with small honey-scented yellow flowers in winter/spring season. Bredasdorp to Alexandria & inland to Swartberg Mtns. 35 Felicia amelloides Blue Marguerite Bushy shrub to 1 m with equal spread, sky-blue flowers with yellow centres bloom all year. Coastal strip from De Hoop/Potberg to Kei River. 36 Gazania rigens Gazania / Strandgousblom Clump-forming groundcover with green and silvery white leaves and stalked yellow flowers borne In spring/summer seasons. Mainly coastal – South Africa to Mozambique. 37 Geranium incanum Capert Geranium Perennial that grows to 300 mm with finely cut, lacy foliage. Flowers in shades of pink, lavender or mauve in summer. Southwestern and eastern parts of South Africa. 38 Hymenolepis parviflora (Athanasia parvifolia) Coulter bush / Pokbos Quick growing shrub growing up to 3 m in height. Tiny yellow flowers in large heads in late spring. Namaqualand south to Cape and east to Oudtshoorn. 39 Kniphofia praecox Red-hot Poker Large clump-forming perennial that grows to 1,5 m. It has orange buds that open to yellow flowers in winter. Grows in good, well-drained soil. South Africa and northwards to Sudan. 40 Lycium ferocissimum African boxthorn / Slangbessie A large shrub which grows up to 5 metres high and is covered in spines. The leaves are oval in shape. Solitary flowers emerge from the leaf axils and are purplish. Western, Northern & Eastern Cape, Free State. 41 Metalasia muricata White bristle bush / Blombos Greyish rounded sturdy and tough shrub, up to 2-4m, with honey-scented flowers growing in coastal and mountainous regions. Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Free State. 42 Orphium frutescens Sticky Flower Shrubby perennial that grows to 600 mm with pink to mauve flowers that are carried at the tips of branches in summer. Southwestern Cape coast. 43 Osteospermum fruticosum African Daisy Rapid-spreading, fire-resistant perennial. Good flowery ground or bank cover. Branches take root to hold soil. South Africa, including Western Cape. 44 Pelargonium betulinum Camphor Leaf Erect or sprawling shrub or bush with asymetrical oval leaves and large pink to purplish flowers. Coastal areas from Yzerfontein to Knysna. 45 Pelargonium cucullatum Wild Pelargonium Sprawling evergreen shrub that grows 1 m with large round felted leaves and mauve. Flowers marked with purple in spring and summer. Coast from Saldanha to Baardskeerdersbos. 46 Pelargonium peltatum Ivy-Leaved Perlagonium Trailing or climbing evergreen with ivy-shaped leaves and pink, mauve or white flowers streaked with purple in spring and summer. Coastal and succulent scrub from Bainskloof to East London. 47 Plectranthus neochilus Blue Coleus / Spur flower Spreading groundcover with purple flowers and scented leaves. Grows in almost any soil. Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Zimbabwe, Zambia, northeastern Namibia. 48 Plumbago auriculata Cape Leadwort Shrub growing to a height of 3 m with masses of powder-blue flowers in summer. Southern Cape, Eastern Cape into KwaZulu-Natal. 49 Polygala myrtifolia September Bush Evergreen shrub that grows to 3 m bearing bright reddish-purple flower for most months of the year. Quick growing and survives in most soils. Bokkeveld Mtns (Clanwilliam) to KwaZulu-Natal. 50 Putterlickia pyracantha Fire thorn Hardy, evergreen, multi-stemmed shrub with straight, long, sharp spines. The dark green leaves are small and shiny. Clusters of small, white flowers are borne from Nov. to Jan. South Africa. 51 Salvia africana-caerulea Blue Sage Shrub with aromatic and leathery leaves that grows to a height of 1 m. Blue leaves are borne in summer. Sandy slopes and flats from Namaqualand to Cape Peninsula and Caledon area. 52 Salvia africana-lutea Dune Salvia An aromatic, hardy shrub with unusually coloured brownish flowers borne over a long period. It is fairly fast-growing, up to 2 m and very attractive to wildlife. Coast from Namakwaland to Port Alfred. 53 Salvia chamelaeagnea Light-Blue Sage Shrub with aromatic and leathery leaves that grows to a height of 1 m. Light blue leaves are borne in summer. Southwestern Cape. 54 Searsia crenata (Rhus crenata) Dune Crowberry Evergreen shrub with small oval and glossy leaves. Grows to a height of 2—3 m. South Africa coastal regions. 55 Searsia glauca (Rhus glauca) Blue Kuni-Bush Small tree or bush that is commonly found along the coastline of southern Africa. South Africa coastal regions. 56 Strelitzia reginae Crane Flower Tufted, evergreen, perennial up to 1,5 m tall and 2 m in diameter. The banana-like leaves are opposite and arranged fan-like. It flowers for long periods with its vivid orange and bright purple/blue inflorences. Coastal regions of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. 57 Tecoma capensis (Tecomaria capensis) Cape Honeysuckle Flowering shrub or climber with orange-red flowers borne in autumn and winter. Grows well in full sun or semi-shade. Cape coast, KwaZulu-Natal, Mozambique and inland to Mpumalanga & Limpopo.
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Restios and Grasses
Botanical Name Common Name Description & Natural Distribution (Click on picture for larger view) 58 Cynodon dactylon Kweek Lawn. Now world wide. Origin not sure – suggested north & east Africa, southern Europe and Asia. 59 Elegia capensis (Chondropetalum capensis) Horsetail restio / Besemriet Clumps of tough, wiry, dark green stems with a fluffy head of brown inflorescences during autumn. In or near coastal mountain ranges from Western Cape to Port Elizabeth. 60 Elegia tectorum (Chondropetalum tectorum) Thatching reed Dekriet Clumps of tough, wiry, dark green stems with a fluffy head of brown inflorescences during autumn. Marshes and seeps on deep sand from Clanwilliam to Port Elizabeth. 61 Stenotaphrum secundatum Buffalo Grass / St Augustine grass Lawn. North America – now spread over many countries. 62 Thamnochortis insignis Albertinia dekriet Tall wiry reeds dark green leaves with spiky greed head. Southern Cape round Albertinia. 63 Thamnochortus spicigerus Dekriet Tall hardy reeds growing up to 1.5m, stems smooth dark green with shiny bronze flowers. Western and Eastern Cape.
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Succulents
Botanical Name Common Name Description & Natural Distribution (Click on picture for larger view) 64 Aloe arborescens Krans aloe Typical height for this species 2–3 m. Flowers are arranged in a type of inflorescence and are cylindrical in shape with a vibrant red/orange colour. Cape Peninsula to KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and further north. 65 Aloe aristata Torch plant / Lace aloe A robust hardy plant with a dense rosette of dark green leaves. Complex inflorescence that is 700mm in height and branched into 2 to 6 racemes with 20-30 flowers on each raceme. Western and Eastern Cape, Free State & Lesotho. 66 Aloe ferox Bitter aloe / Bitteraalwyn Can grow to 3 m in height. Its leaves are thick and fleshy, arranged in rosettes, and have reddish-brown spines on the margins. Its flowers are orange or red, and stand between 0.6 and 1.2 m above the leaves. Western Cape to southern KwaZulu-Natal. 67 Aloe maculata Soap aloe / Bontaalwyn Spotted broadly triangular leaves and flat-topped racemes with pink or orange flowers. Cape Peninsula to Kwazulu-Natal, into Free State, Lesotho, Mpumalanga and Swaziland. 68 Aptenia cordifolia Baby sun rose An evergreen and fast-growing succulent, often a short-lived perennial, 250 mm high. Flowers are purple to red, shiny, small to medium, 15 mm wide and borne singly or in clusters on short flower stalks. Coastal regions of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. 69 Carpobrotus edulis Sour fig / Suurvy A robust, flat-growing, trailing perennial, rooting at nodes and forming dense mats. Coastal from Namaqualand to Eastern Cape. 70 Cotyledon orbiculata Pig’s ear Small shrub-like succulent growing up to 1.3m in height; with grey-green leaves and small bell-shaped flowers drooping from the top of long stalks. Western and Eastern Cape grassland fynbos and karoo regions. 71 Lampranthus spp Vygie Species flower from late winter to summer with variety of colours. Cultivated species all from Western and Southwestern Cape.
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