Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Melianthus major

Other names

Honey Flower, Greater Honey Flower, Honey Bush

Family

Francoaceae

Flowering season

Late March to July

English distribution

It is grown indoors throughout the country and outdoors in

mild regions in the South.

It is mapped as growing wild to the west of London.

For a map see the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland –

Giant Honey Flower

Habitat

It is a neophyte introduced from South Africa. In the UK 

it is grown as an artitectual shrub for its leaves in winter

and its deep maroon flower spikes in spring and summer.

The flowersd smell of honey and pollinators are lured by

the copious nectar.

Its suckering habit enables rapid spread and it can be

invasive. 

Description 

Giant Honey Flower is a perrenial shrub growing up to

2.5m.

Purple/maroon flower spikes are curved and up to 80cm.

The tubular flowers have 5 sepals and small petals hidden

by the sepals. 

There are 4 stamens.

The ovary is bubous and the style long and lime green.

The dark nectary is cup-shaped and at the base of the

flower.

Seeds are produced in green pods.

Leaves are large, pinnate and up to 45cm.

The lower stems are woody.

Giant Honey Flower is spead by seed and by suckering.

All parts of the plant are poisonous if eaten.