Teensy little diosma flowers.
- Diosma is a woody shrub that is used to decorate gardens and can be also used as lovely filler in flower arrangements.
- The scientific name of diosma is ‘Coleonema pulchellum’, which comes from the Greek words ‘koleos’ and ‘nema’ meaning ‘sheath’ and ‘thread’ respectively and the Latin word ‘pulchellum’ means ‘pretty’.
- Diosma is also known as ‘confetti bush’, ‘breath of heaven’ and ‘buchu’ and was once named ‘Coleonema pulchrum’.
- Diosma blooms in late autumn to spring, with small flowers 7-8 mm (0.275 – 0.3 inch) that have five petals, and are pink, white, mauve and red in colour.
- Diosma is native to South Africa and likes to grow in warm areas.
- Once a diosma bush has finished flowering, they develop small capsules that contain, small black seeds.
- Diosma is from the family Rutaceae, which is the family of rue and citrus.
- Diosma grow from 0.5 to 2 meters (2 to 6.5 feet) in height.
- Diosma has small, needle shaped leaves that are typically green in colour.
- Insects including butterflies and bees come for the nectar of diosma, while ants transport the black seeds which can grow into new plants.
Bibliography:
Diosma, 2013, Burke’s Backyard, <http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Flowering-Plants-and-Shrubs/Diosma/1682>
Coleonema Pulchellum, 2004, Plantz Africa, <http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/coleonpulchell.htm>
