If you have a large expanse that needs covering, try the magic of this African beauty. Creeping foxglove is the most rewarding and friendliest of all the groundcovers (it may even prove too friendly in a small garden!).

Description
This is an attractive, fast-growing, spreading, herbaceous groundcover that grows from 300 mm to 600 mm in height. The stems root easily at the nodes. Leaves are simple and dark green. It produces a cream-coloured flower with tessellated purple markings on the palate (lower petal of the corolla) in spring and summer. Flowers are produced over a long period and are followed by capsules with brown seeds. It is semi-hardy, and young plants require protection in areas of heavy frost. In tropical areas it can grow rampantly.

Conservation Status
Aystasia gangetica is not threatened in any way as is listed as LC (Least Concern) in the Red Data List.

According to the Global Invasive Species Database this creeper has caused major problems in the ecosystems of the Pacific Islands. It is potentially highly invasive.

Distribution
Aystasia gangetica is widely distributed from tropical Asia to southern Africa. The subspecies found in South Africa differs from the Asian plant which usually has larger pink flowers. The South African subspecies occurs along the eastern coastal areas of the country and in the north. It is recorded from the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, Botswana and Namibia.

Name
Asystasia means inconsistency and relates to the fact that the corolla is more or less regular which is unusual in the family Acanthaceae. The word gangetica is derived from the Ganges River in India where it is presumed the species occurs.

Ecology
In nature, Asystasia has developed a good relationship with the honeybee that pollinates the flowers. The white petals of the flowers and purple blue strip on the lower petal attract the insect, indicating to the honeybee where to find the nectar. The flowers also serve as food for beetles and the plant receives visits from ants. The flowers are very attractive to butterflies too.

Uses and cultural aspect
This ground cover can be used as a mass planting under large trees and borders in full sun, semi-shade or full shade. It is also a good container plant. Leaves have been eaten as spinach by the local people.

Growing Asystasia gangetica

This ground cover thrives in semi-shade and will also grow in sunny spots if it receives adequate moisture. It can be planted in any soil in the garden, but will do better if plenty of compost is added.

Propagate from cuttings taken after flowering or by removing rooted runners (small plants must be protected from frost).

Watch out for the most common pest. It is called dodder (Cuscuta campestris). It is a slender, leafless, parasitic herb with yellow, twining stems reaching a height of up to 2 m and forming dense patches up to 5 m across. It forms little whitish flowers in November to April. The fruit are greenish yellow capsules. The affected plants must be removed and destroyed immediately.

Please note that this creeper can be highly invasive and should be planted with care. Its ability to reproduce by vegetative propagation can result in it smothering surrounding vegetation with its herbaceous layer.

References and further reading

• Edwards, T.J. & Getliffe Norris, F.M. 1993. Asystasia gangetica. The Flowering Plants of Africa 52: t. 2076.
• Jackson, W.P.U. 1990. Origins and meaning of names of South African plant genera. Ecolab, Botany Department, University of Cape Town.
• Joffe, P. 1993. The gardener's guide to South African plants. Tafelberg, Cape Town.
• Pooley, E. 1998. Field guide to wild flowers of Kwazulu-Natal and the eastern region. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
• Retief, E. & Herman, P.P.J. 1997. Plants of the northern provinces of South Africa: keys and diagnostic characters. Strelitzia 6.

 

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Author Elliot Lithudzha Pretoria NBG June 2004 With additions by Yvonne Reynolds