Muraltia mitior
POLYGALACEAE

• Once common in Cape Town, this Endangered beauty remains at only three alien-infested fragments in Cape Flats Dune Strandveld and Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, having lost more than 90% of its habitat to urbanisation. A hop, skip and jump across to the Agulhas Plain reveals three more disjunct subpopulations with similar threats. It is an unusual shrub with slender finger-like branches dotted with pretty purple flowers, like purple wands waving in the wind!
• Flowering time: July-February
  In your garden: For seasonally wet garden spots. Perfect for eco-pool or grey water wetland surrounds where it can keep its feet wet. Known to pique the interest of bees, butterflies and rare plant collectors alike.
  Distribution: Found growing on coastal dunes and sandy flats in low-lying areas on the Cape Flats and the Agulhas Plain
  Image: © James Puttick