The plant that will come back to life

Bella, our nursery propagation intern, writes about the tasks and projects she works on ....

"In 2022, seeds of Erythrina zeyheri, an endemic South African plant, arrived at the JBG.

After careful legume treatment, including soaking them in near-boiling water for 24 hours, the seeds germinated and survived two chilly Jerusalem winters, quite a contrast to their native warm and dry summers.

This species grows from a remarkable underground structure called a caudex, a thick, woody rootstock that stores energy and allows the plant to regenerate each year.

Even after root rot forced us to cut irrigation and remove damaged parts, we were reminded of the genus’s special ability: to sprout anew, even after apparent decline.

Despite the strong scent and the unpleasant task of cleaning decomposed roots, the hope of seeing this rare plant bloom in our garden kept me going. The roots are now drying, and we’ll attempt to replant them. Will it return and resprout ? We’re not sure. In winter, it drops its leaves, but we’ll keep watching and learning.

Another fun fact,

The plant’s name was given in honor of 19th-century botanist Carl Zeyher.

Stay tuned.