Touch-me-not

Melianthus comosus Vahl

Melianthus comosus, known as the Touch-me-not, is a flowering plant in the Francoaceae family. It is native to southern Africa and is commonly found in dry regions. The plant is popular in gardens due to its attractive multi-stemmed shrub form. The Afrikaans name kruidjie-roer-my-nie refers to the unpleasant odor released when any part of the plant is bruised. The vegetative parts are toxic, and the plant has antibacterial properties in leaf and stem extracts.

Description

Melianthus comosus is a species of flowering plant in the Francoaceae family, described by Vahl in 1794. It is native to southern Africa, particularly in dry regions such as the Cape Provinces, Free State, Lesotho, Namibia, and Northern Provinces. The plant is cultivated in gardens for its ornamental value. The name kruidjie-roer-my-nie in Afrikaans reflects the strong, unpleasant smell that arises when the plant is damaged. The plant's vegetative parts are toxic, and extracts from the leaves and stems have demonstrated antibacterial properties.