Fabaceae FAMILY

Cyclopia subternata

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitShrub

Growth—

Cyclopia subternata is native to the Mediterranean climate of southern S. Africa, where it experiences hot, dry summers and moister, mild winters. Whilst able to tolerate occasional light frosts, it is killed by hard frosts^[1]. Requires a sunny position, growing best in a well-drained sandy soil^[1]. Grows best in an acid soil, being able to succeed in a pH as low as 3.5^[1]. Plants are adapted to growing in areas where fires often occur naturally. Although top-killed by the fire, they generally resprout freely from the base^[1]. In cultivation, the plants can be pruned severely every few years to keep it tidy^[1]. The flowers have the aroma of honey, which attracts beetles that are responsible for most of the pollination^[1]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby^[2].

Propagation

Seed. Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species develop a hard outer skin and will benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing^[PFAF]. Species in this genus grow in areas where fires commonly occur naturally, and the seeds are adapted to respond to the smoke of the fire, with many seeds germinating with the first rains after a fire. Burning a small amount of paper over the seed, and then sowing the ashes together with the seed, can improve germination rates (so long as the fire was not intense enough to damage the seed!). The seed should be sown on a medium with good drainage and a low pH of 3.5 to 5. Germination usually takes place within two weeks^[1]. Tip cuttings root fairly easily, especially if rooting hormone is used^[1]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Cyclopia+subternata>

Pollinators

Beetles

References

[1]PlantZAfrica.com — http://www.plantzafrica.com ↩︎An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
[2]The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation — Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. · University of Wisconsin · 1981 · ISBN 0-333-32221-5 ↩︎An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
[3]African Flowering Plants Database — Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques. · http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php ↩︎Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
[4]Honeybush; Healthful beverage tea from South Africa — Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D. · Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon · 2004 · http://www.itmonline.org/arts/honeybush.htm ↩︎A good, in-depth article on the use of Cyclopia species to make honeybush tea.
[5]CosIng — http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/ ↩︎CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
[PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎