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Trachyandra spp.
Capespinachs
Southern and eastern Africa, Madagascar
Overview
Trachyandra spp. is a genus of about 50 species of perennial herbs in the family Asphodelaceae, native mainly to southern and eastern Africa. Most grow from a thick rootstock or short rhizome, sending up a tuft of narrow, strap-shaped or cylindrical leaves 4-20 in (10-50 cm) long, some fleshy and others grassy. A few species, such as T. tortilis, produce tightly coiled, snaking succulent leaves that have made them collector plants. Small six-petalled flowers, usually white to cream with a darker midvein, open along slender unbranched or branched stalks held above the foliage, each lasting a day or so. Flowers are followed by three-chambered capsules of black seeds. The genus is concentrated in South Africa, with the greatest variety in the winter-rainfall Cape, and extends north into tropical Africa and Madagascar. Several species are gathered as a leafy vegetable, the source of the name Cape spinach. Many are dormant in the dry season, dying back to the rootstock, and rot quickly if watered during that rest period.
Native Range
The genus is native to Africa, centred on South Africa and especially the winter-rainfall western Cape, and reaching north into tropical East Africa and Madagascar. Species grow on rocky slopes, sandy flats, and seasonally dry grassland.Suggested Uses
Grown by succulent and bulb collectors, especially the coiled-leaf T. tortilis, and in containers or rockeries in dry, frost-free gardens. Some species are cultivated and harvested as a leafy green in parts of Africa.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'6"
Width/Spread6" - 1'6"
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowering follows the growing season, often in spring for winter-growing species and after rains in summer-rainfall regions. The small white flowers open in succession along the stalk, each for only a day. Seed capsules ripen and split within a few weeks of flowering.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to cream with darker midveinFoliage Description
green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in full sun to light shade and in gritty, sharply drained soil, matching their dry, rocky habitats. Watering follows the natural cycle, with moisture during the growing season and near-dry conditions through dormancy. Water given while a plant is resting is the most common cause of rot. Most species are frost-tender and are grown under cover or as container plants in cool climates. Feeding is light, given only during active growth. The coiled-leaf species need especially sharp drainage and strong light to keep the curled form.Pruning
Spent flower stalks are removed after seeding to tidy the plant and limit self-sowing. Dried leaves are cleared away as the plant enters dormancy, taking care not to damage the rootstock.Pruning Schedule
late spring
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons