Nemesia cheiranthus

Nemesia cheiranthus E.Mey. ex Benth.

Nemesia cheiranthus, also known as the long-eared nemesia, is an annual plant native to South Africa. It features white and yellow flowers, occasionally with purple markings. The upper petals are long and thin, while the lower lip has two typically orange bulbous protuberances, sometimes with a central indentation. The leaves are toothed and lance-shaped. This species typically reaches a height of 40 cm and is mainly found in Namaqualand on sandy soils.

Description

Nemesia cheiranthus (E.Mey. ex Benth.) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family and is native to the Cape Provinces. It is an annual plant with distinctive floral features, including long upper petals and a yellow lower lip with orange protuberances. The plant grows up to 40 cm tall and is commonly found in Namaqualand, where it thrives in sandy soils. Its leaves are lance-shaped and toothed. This species was first described in 1836.