Eriocephalus africanus

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Cladus: Campanulids
Ordo: Asterales

Familia: Asteraceae
Subfamilia: Asteroideae
Tribus: Anthemideae
Subtribus: Athanasiinae
Genus: Eriocephalus
Species: Eriocephalus africanus
Varietas: E. a. var. paniculatus
Name

Eriocephalus africanus L.
Synonyms

Achillea fasciculata Burm. fil.
Eriocephalus corymbosus Moench
Eriocephalus frutescens R. Br.
Eriocephalus racemosus Gaertn.
Eriocephalus septifer Cass.
Eriocephalus umbellulatus Cass.
Eriocephalus variifolius Salisb.
Monochlaena racemosa (Gaertn.) Cass.

Homonyms

Eriocephalus africanus Burm. fil. = E. sericeus
Gaud. ex DC.

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Africa
South Africa (Cape Prov.)

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References

Linnaeus, C. 1753. Species Plantarum. Tomus II: 926. Reference page.

Links

International Plant Names Index. 2017. Eriocephalus africanus. Published online. Accessed: Nov. 23 2017. Reference page.
The Plant List 2013. Eriocephalus africanus in The Plant List Version 1.1. Published online. Accessed: 2017 Nov. 23.
Tropicos.org 2017. Eriocephalus africanus. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 23 Nov. 2017.
Hassler, M. 2017. Eriocephalus africanus. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2017. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published online. Accessed: 2017 Nov 23. Reference page.

Vernacular names
Afrikaans: Kaapse kapokbos, Wilderoosmaryn
English: Wild rosemary, Cape snowbush

Eriocephalus africanus is a bushy shrublet indigenous to South Africa. It has a wide distribution in the Western and Eastern Cape, and in Namaqualand. The plant has several common names in various languages. It is known as the Kapokbossie or Wild Rosemary (Afrikaans "wilde roosmaryn") referring to its fancied resemblance to rosemary. The superficial resemblance is in the foliage, which, though softer and not glossy, grows in a habit similar to that of the common Mediterranean rosemary, although the two species are not related.

Eriocephalus africanus is fragrant, with lightly felted foliage that gives the plant a matt silvery appearance. The inflorescences are small brown and pale yellow heads borne in corymbs; each head bears a few bisexual ray florets with abortive ovaries and snowy white petals that practically cover a bush in flower. The ray florets surround usually some four to eight female florets in the centre.[2]

Ecologically the plant is important to many insects as a source of nectar and pollen, and as a minor browse to flocks and antelope. Essential oil derived from E. africanus is used as an ingredient in medicinal and perfume products. The plant has been used in traditional medicine and in cooking.[3]
Essential oil

Essential oil extracts of E. africanus are prepared by steam distillation, and contain the following primary aroma components:

linalyl acetate 18.0%
1,8-cineole 4.3%
para-cymene 3.5%
camphene 2.8%
linalool 2.5%
camphor 2.4%
sabinene 2.3%
α-copaene 1.8%
limonene 1.1%
geranyl acetate 0.9%
terpinen-4-ol 0.9%
α-pinene 0.8%
valencene 0.8%
β-pinene 0.7%
α-terpineol 0.6%
β-caryophyllene 0.5%
myrcene 0.2%

References

"The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 11 February 2015.
Dyer, R. Allen, The Genera of Southern African Flowering Plants”. ISBN 0 621 02854 1, 1975
Watt, John Mitchell; Breyer-Brandwijk, Maria Gerdina: The Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa 2nd ed Pub. E & S Livingstone 1962