About Melianthus major L.
Melianthus major, commonly known as giant honey flower or kruidjie-roer-my-nie (an Afrikaans phrase meaning 'herb-touch-me-not'), is a flowering plant species belonging to the family Francoaceae. It is an evergreen suckering shrub that is endemic to South Africa, and has become naturalised in India, Australia, and New Zealand. Mature specimens grow 2–3 metres (7–10 feet) tall and 1–3 metres (3–10 feet) wide. It produces pinnate blue-green leaves 30–50 cm (12–20 inches) long, which carry a distinctive musky odour. In spring, it develops dark red, nectar-filled flower spikes that reach 30–80 cm (12–31 inches) in length; these are followed by green seed pods after flowering. All parts of Melianthus major are poisonous. Its Latin binomial name Melianthus major translates literally to "large honey flower". This species is sometimes also called honeybush, a common name shared with many other plant species. When grown in cultivation, it needs a sheltered growing location, and may require a protective winter mulch in temperate climates. It has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
