Phylica gnidioides (Pink Hardleaf)

Phylica gnidioides is commonly known as Pink Phylica or Pink Hardleaf and Pienk-hardebos (Afrikaans). It's also sometimes referred to as Marshmallow Hardleaf.

Phylica gnidioides is a compact, many branched, rounded shrub. The leaves are dark grey-green, linear, 8–10mm long, smooth above with the edges of leaves rolled under towards the midrib. The flower heads (capitula) are composed of about 7 or 8, tubular, pink, 10mm long flowers, densely grouped at the tips of the stems. The flowers are unusual as they are made up of sepals rather than petals. In this species the sepals are fused together into a calyx, forming a lovely pink star, whereas, the petals are insignificant and inserted in the mouth of the tube. These beautiful flowers are covered with fine, soft hairs. It flowers in autumn and winter, from May to July. H 1m x W 1m.