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Phylica Pubescens, African Shrub

A low bush
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Low bush densely covered with furry leaves that resemble flowers. It is said these leaves "glow" in the more yellow light of sunset and sunrise.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:44:56 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134456_2679BCX
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A thin but handsome bush
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Each stem is covered in tight leaves which makes this bush less dense looking that most bushes or shrubs. These plants become more woody and leggy as they age, so younger plants appear fuller than older plants.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:02 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134502_2680BCX
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Require little water
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These plants are from a dry climate so require less water once established. They should be planted in acid, sandy, well-drained sunny areas.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:08 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134508_2681BCX
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Branch ends are feathery
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The branch ends in feathery leaves that are a lighter color than the interior leaves. In season, a flower will appear at the tip of the branch.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:16 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134516_2683BCX
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The flower will be at the tip
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The flower will appear at the very tip in season. The light colored leaves surrounding the flower help to attract insects.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:20 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134520_2684BCX
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Appears as if a flower
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The entire branch tip appears as if it is a large flower. But the small flower will appear from inside the tip in the center.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:26 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134526_2685BCX
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A tip had fallen
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This is what the end of a branch looked like after the flower-like tip had fallen off.


Phylica Pubescens   •  Common name: Featherhead (English)   •  Common name: Veerkoppie (African)   •  UCSC Arboretum internal link Santa Cruz, California   •  (Photo posted Wednesday 14 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:36 Thursday 11 March 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134536_2686BCX
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