Stachys aethiopica, African Stachys, Katbossie

Stachys aethiopica, Katbossie, Cape Woundwort, African Stachys

I photographed this pretty plant in the Msinsi Nature Reserve grasslands in September. This small herb has delightful tiny white spur-like flowers. The white petals are splashed with purple flecks and the stamens are dark black. The leaves are toothed and looked similar to the leaves of mint. This plant is widespread throughout the reserve, in the sandy soiled grasslands and along the forest margins.

Graham Leslie McCallum