About Melianthus comosus Vahl
Melianthus comosus, commonly known as the honey flower, is a species of flowering plant in the Francoaceae family. It is native to mostly dry regions of southern Africa. This species grows as an attractive multi-stemmed shrub, and is a popular plant for gardens. Its Afrikaans common name is kruidjie-roer-my-nie, which translates to herb-touch-me-not; this name references the unpleasant smell released when any part of the plant is bruised. Like all other species in the Melianthus genus, the vegetative parts of Melianthus comosus are very toxic. Extracts made from this plant's leaves and stem have anti-bacterial properties. Its native range includes South Africa, western Lesotho, and southern Namibia, where it grows at elevations between 400 and 2,000 meters above sea level. Within South Africa, it occurs across most of the Cape and Free State provinces, and grows locally in North West, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga. Honey produced from the nectar of this plant's flowers is dark in colour, and is reportedly not toxic to humans. The flowers of Melianthus comosus are visited by both insects and birds; sunbirds in particular actively seek out these flowers.
