GERRARDANTHUS TOMENTOSUS

This member of the Cucurbitaceae family was given this name by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1883. It is found near Durban in mid-eastern South Africa, growing in a sandy but rich soil with some water and little sun. The caudex can grow to 50 or even 150 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 15 metres in height. The flowers are greenish-brown to deep orange and separate male and female plants.

The genera name for William Tyrer Gerrard, 1831-1866, a British naturalist, botanical collector and traveller in South Africa and Greek; anthos; 'flower'.

The species name tomentosus, meaning ‘tomentose’, because of its leaves that are densely covered in short hairs. The female flower by Geoff Nichols, Pza.sanbi.org. The male flower by Geoff Nichols, Pza.sanbi.org. The leaves by Geoff Nichols, Pza.sanbi.org.