SALTERA SARCOCOLLA

Vlieëbos (Afr.); Christmas candles (Eng.)

Family: Penaeaceae

INTRO

SALTERA SARCOCOLLA

In the dry summer months, the vivid pink flowers of Saltera sarcocolla stop hikers in their tracks.

“What is that?”

Locals call it Vlieëbos (Fly bush).

Nope — it doesn’t eat flies.

It simply traps them, along with other small insects, to protect its pollen for the sunbirds. Nature’s clever little bouncer.

DESCRIPTION

Saltera sarcocolla is a variable shrub, with its appearance differing depending on where it grows. Some plants are small and sparsely flowered, while others produce abundant, showy blooms.

In the Rooiels area and surrounding mountains, one often encounters particularly robust forms, with larger and more striking flowers—arguably among the finest expressions of the species.

The name sarcocolla is derived from the Greek sarx (flesh) and kolla (glue), referring to the fleshy, sticky stem just below the flower head.

DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT

This species occurs across the Cape Peninsula and along the Western Cape coast as far as Cape Agulhas, extending inland to areas such as Franschhoek, the Hottentots Holland Mountains, Villiersdorp, and Genadendal.

It is typically found on sandy hills and mid- to upper mountain slopes, favouring rocky habitats from sea level up to about 1 000 metres. It often grows in crevices and on shelving rock rather than on steep slopes, and is particularly associated with coastal fynbos.

POLLINATION

The flowers are pollinated primarily by sunbirds, which are attracted to nectar produced at the base of the ovary.

When touched, the pollen sacs release their contents in a fine cloud, transferring pollen to visiting birds.

A STICKY DEFENCE

The plant’s sticky bracts and stems serve as a protective barrier. Small insects, including flies, become trapped in this resinous coating, preventing them from interfering with the pollen. This distinctive feature gave rise to the Afrikaans name vlieëbos—literally, “fly bush.”

As the flower heads age, they turn brown but remain conspicuously sticky. Eventually, the seed capsules dry and split open.

ECOLOGY

Saltera sarcocolla is well adapted to the fire-prone fynbos environment. While seeds do play a role in regeneration, the plant is also capable of surviving fires and resprouting.

Seeds germinate after fire and are slow-growing. They require time to establish an underground rootstock, and it may take several years before this development becomes evident.

Find out more on iNaturalist