- Author: Susan P Croissant
Giant Honey Flower. Giant Honey Bush. (Melianthus major). The genus Melianthus literally means "honey flower." This tropical, soft-wooded, hermaphrodite perennial is another sample from Gabriel's garden (Vallejo Garden Tour 2015). Its flowers (present in April) had subsided by the May tour, so check this close-up of the lovely brandy wine blooms: http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Melianthus+major
This specimen is big, bold and architecturally striking. Rapid growth, 6-12 ft H x 8-15 ft W. By year two, long bare stems topped with "primeval" looking foliage blends quite nicely in a tropical-look garden. Foot-long, strongly-toothed bluish-grey/green leaves cluster toward branch tips. Flowers produce on second-year wood, followed by ornamental papery seed pods. Blooms appear late winter, early Spring as long stems holding foot-tall spikes of flowers with 1" petals. Eye-catching color: brandy wine (red/purple), maroon, reddish-brown, bronze, burgundy, deep brick-red. They produce an abundance of honey-like black nectar, attracting bees, butterflies, birds, hummingbirds. Sunbirds and Cape White Eyes frequent this plant in South Africa, where it is indigenous and well known in the Southwest Cape, occurring naturally along streams and roadside ditches. While fertile soil provides good foliage effects, it appears to flower well in poor soil.
The standard directive is that flowering will occur ONLY if the plant is NOT cut to the ground each year. In the Pacific Northwest, winter cold and frost damage to stems requires cutting it to the ground once the danger of frost has passed. Some opt to do so before winter arrives. (I would note here that this can more readily allow the damage to reach roots.) Some report letting it grow during a mild winter but, disappointed with the resultant blooms, opt to cut it back each year. (I wonder if blooms would have improved after 2 mild winters.) In any case, root stock must be well mulched in cold areas and during frosts. Regarding pests, I happened upon one reference: watch the undersides of older leaves for a "particularly repulsive form of pulsating aphid." (Maybe I'll unearth that species in a future blog.)
M. comosus, a smaller species, is widespread throughout South Africa. Kruidjie-roer-my-nie [Afrikaans] and Ibonya [Zulu], meaning "herb-touch-me-not." All parts of the plant, when brushed against or bruised, produce a strong smell described as unpleasant/malodorous or similar to hazelnut/peanut butter. Although toxic when taken internally (root poisonous, flower highly toxic), it is used medicinally by the local people. Ointment (leaves simmered in oil/lard). Infusions (leaf or root brewed for a wash or bath) for backaches and rheumatic joints. Leaf poultice applied to septic wounds, sores, bruises. Traditional remedy for snake bite. Treating ringworm. Branches are used to wipe the ground and remove the smell of humans when placing traps for jackals/wild animals.
Annie's and Digging Dog, among others, stock this plant. Peruse their sites for more photos and basic info. https://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=1382 http://www.diggingdog.com/pages2/plantpages.php/P-0894
Located in South Africa, this site has photos of pods, a sunbird feeding and the species M. comosus:
http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/plants/melianthaceae/melianthus_major.htm
