Nicky Hoseck

9 Amazing Flowers
of the Wild Coast

One of the great things about exploring on horseback is having the time to study what's around you. The gentle rhythm of hoofbeats creates a perfect pace for observation, allowing you to notice details that might blur past in a car or feel rushed on foot.

One minute you're watching dolphins leap through the waves, the next, you're focusing on how the wind moves through the grasslands, creating rippling waves that mirror the movement of the ocean.

Although the West Coast is famous for its wildflowers, the Wild Coast has its own fair share of eye-catching blooms, many of which have a great deal more significance than initially meets the eye. While some have medicinal uses, passed down through generations of traditional healers, others are rich in symbolism.

Even on our fast-paced rides, there are moments when we slow down enough for you to appreciate a range of botanical treasures, from the smallest ground-hugging succulents to towering aloes that stand like sentinels along the craggy valleys.

In this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at some of our favorite blooms, exploring their history and how people have perceived and utilised them over the years.

#1 Hottentot Fig – Carpobrotus edulis

Native to South Africa, the Hottentot fig or sour fig adds a splash of colour to both coastal and inland slopes. It grows abundantly close to the sea, indifferent to the poor soils and salty air.

Like the mesembryanthemum family it once belonged to, the Hottentot fig flowers open only during the brightest of the day — a behaviour that reduces water loss by preventing unnecessary transpiration during the cooler night hours. This clever adaptation, combined with its thick, succulent leaves and sprawling growth habit, makes it perfectly suited to its harsh coastal environment.

The plant’s common name, Hottentot fig or Hotnotsvy, seemingly originated when early settlers saw the Khoisan eating its fruits and utilising the leaves for medicinal purposes. The plant is one of nature’s medicine cabinets, with the leaf juice acting as mild antiseptic and astringent. Applied topically, it soothes everything from insect bites to sunburn, and nappy rash to chapped lips, while, when taken internally, it helps relieve sore throats and laryngitis.

#2 Everlasting Flower – Helichrysum

There are hundreds of species of everlastings scattered across South Africa, which makes identifying the exact species somewhat challenging. In all honesty, we probably see several different species, with the most predominant being the helichrysum anomalum, which flourishes on our overgrazed grasslands.

Unlike other species of everlastings, the helichrysum anomalum has few medicinal uses, although studies suggest it contains a compound that may be effective in the treatment of HIV. One thing our local everlastings do share with other species is their symbolic significance. Because these flowers retain their appearance and shape long after being picked, they’re used to symbolise immortality and everlasting love.

Rather than being blessed with eternal life, the everlasting flower’s resilience comes from a natural resin that preserves it by preventing moisture loss. This remarkable adaptation not only allows the blooms to maintain their beauty long after being picked but also helps them survive in harsh conditions such as those found along the Wild Coast.

#3 Candelabra Flower – Brunsvigia orientalis

This unique and surprising bloom pops out of the ground each year with very little warning, emerging as if by magic from the seemingly bare earth. With no notable leaves or stem, the Candelabra (Brunsvigia orientalis) blossoms unexpectedly, sprouting from the ground like a perfectly arranged bouquet of deep pink to scarlet flowers.

Just as our other flowers have adapted to the harsh environment of the Wild Coast, the Candelabra has developed a unique way of surviving the challenging seasons and spends its winter months hibernating below ground in a large bulb, storing nutrients and moisture until conditions are perfect for its dramatic appearance.

This strategy allows it to conserve energy during the dry season and burst forth with the first autumn rains, transforming the landscape with its striking display of up to 60 flowers arranged in a perfect spherical umbrella formation.

These displays are short-lived and in a few short weeks, the stem breaks off, and the flower head tumbles to the ground where it's blown around by the wind, distributing seeds and spooking horses as it goes. Horses, typically unfazed by static plants, often shy away from these ghostly wanderers, which is possibly how the Candelabra got its Afrikaans name —Perdespookbossie, or horse ghost bush!

#4 Paintbrush Lily – Scadoxus puniceus

Also known as the snake or blood lily, this magnificent flower adds a splash of colour to our coastline, blossoming in spring and retaining its resplendent bloom well into the summer months. This striking and vibrant flower is surprisingly hardy, growing in a range of habitats from forest to coastal grasslands.

The bulb of the paintbrush lily contains highly toxic alkaloids that can be fatal if ingested but that hasn’t stopped the plant from being used medicinally. Despite the risks involved, the plant has been traditionally used to treat a variety of complaints, from coughs and headaches to sprains and bruises.

#5 Bird of Paradise – Strelitzia Reginae

The bird of paradise is one of two types of wild strelitzia growing on the Wild Coast. Much smaller than its cousin, the Strelitzia Nicolai, the Strelitzia Reginae gets its name from the shape of the flower, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the head and crown of a particularly eye-catching bird of paradise.

Occurring naturally along much of the Eastern Cape coastline, the bird of paradise adds a splash of colour with its striking orange and purple/blue flowers that strain their necks towards the bright African sun. Its large, banana-like leaves enable it to withstand the salt-laden winds and the intense African sun that batter the Wild Coast.

Much loved as an ornamental garden plant, the Strelitzia Reginae also plays a significant role in traditional medicine, thanks to its potent antibacterial qualities. The roots are crushed and made into decoctions to treat urinary tract infections, while its leaves have been found effective against various bacteria, including that which causes Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

The combination of the bird of paradise’s striking beauty and its healing properties exemplifies the often overlooked medicinal value of many of our most decorative native plants, reminding us that, in nature, beauty and utility often go hand in hand.

#6 Lobelia anceps

This little purple/blue flower is so small you’d never think you’d notice it from horseback, and yet it’s so liberally scattered along the Wild Coast that you can’t help but be drawn to the carpets of colour it creates along the coastal paths and grasslands.

The star-shaped blooms are barely bigger than a fingernail, yet clustered together in a dense mat, they can transform swathes of land with their shimmering patches of colour.

Growing close to the ground, these hardy little flowers have mastered the art of survival through unity. By clustering together, they create their own microclimate that helps retain moisture and provide shelter from the coastal winds.

On the Wild Coast, the lobelia anceps often grows alongside a yellow lobelia called Monopsis lutea. Together, they create a delicate splash of colour much loved by our Swedish guests as it reflects the colours of their national flag.

#7 Cape Red-Hot Poker – Kniphofia uvaria

Standing erect, the red-hot poker shoots out of the ground like a burning arrow from a bow. Preferring moist areas and grassy slopes, it appears as a burst of red against a sea of green. The tubular flowers stand head and shoulders above the indigenous grasses, stretching towards the sun as they search for the energy they need to survive.

Although the red hot poker bears some resemblance to the vibrant aloes that decorate our coastline, they boast fibrous leaves rather than succulent ones, marking them as members of the lily family. In fact, one of their other common names is the torch lily in recognition of its firey tubular blossoms.

Tending to these dramatic blooms is the tiny sunbird who hovers alongside the plant, sipping sweet nectar from its tubular flowers. In return, the flowers indicate their readiness by changing their colour, with the red flowers being the newest and richest in nectar.

This adaptation ensures efficient pollination while creating one of the most striking floral displays on the Wild Coast.

#8 Aloe Ferox

This single-stemmed aloe is one of the most abundant in South Africa, occurring over a 1,000km area that stretches from the southwestern Cape, along the Wild Coast, to the southern reaches of Kwa-Zulu Natal. It’s not the only aloe growing along the Wild Coast and is easily confused with other species, like the Aloe Africana and the endemic Aloe Speciosa. What makes the Ferox stand out from its cousins are its thick, red flowers that arrange themselves into a striking candelabra.

Flowering between May and August, the aloe ferox creates a vibrant display against a wintery backdrop. Reaching up to 1.5 meters in height, the tall flower spikes attract numerous pollinators, including bees, birds, and insects, contributing to the region's rich biodiversity.

While not as well-known as its cousin, Aloe vera, aloe ferox has long been valued for its medicinal properties and used to treat a range of conditions, both internally and topically.

The plant's resilience to harsh conditions and ability to thrive in poor soils also make it a symbol of endurance and adaptability, perfectly reflecting the spirit of the Wild Coast.

#9 Wild Jasmine – Jasmine Angular

When riding along the edges of a coastal forest, you may easily miss the appearance of these delicate white flowers, but the chances of missing their aroma are slim. If you brush against it, it fills the air with a sweet, musky fragrance that’s not only appealing to humans but is also designed to lure pollinators to its tiny blossoms.

This plant, often hidden among a tangle of branches, relies on its enticing scent to attract bees, butterflies, and other insects, ensuring the continuation of its lifecycle. The fragrance lingers in the air, adding an almost magical quality to the forest trails and enhancing a sensory experience to your exploration of the Wild Coast.

Jasmine Angular is one of 10 species of jasmine indigenous to South Africa, which has adapted to the warm, humid conditions typical of coastal forests. Blooming primarily in spring and summer, Jasmine Angular not only adds to the visual beauty of the landscape but also plays a vital ecological role, supporting pollinators essential to the region's biodiversity.

This enchanting plant reminds us of the intricate connections that make up the Wild Coast's ecosystems, where even the smallest flowers contribute to the area's vibrant natural tapestry.

Conclusion

Home to a diversity of ecosystems and environments, the Wild Coast provides the perfect canvas for nature’s artistry. Here, vibrant blooms and resilient plants tell stories of adaptation, survival, and beauty.

From towering aloes standing guard over rugged cliffs to delicate jasmine filling the forest trails with their heady aroma, each flower plays a role in shaping the character of this unique coastline.

Exploring the Wild Coast on horseback offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in this botanical wonderland. The slower pace allows you to connect with the environment, appreciating not only the visual splendour of these plants but also their historical, cultural, and ecological significance.

Whether you’re drawn to the medicinal properties of the aloe ferox, the fiery allure of the red-hot poker, or the ghostly mystique of the candelabra flower, these nine remarkable blooms are a testament to the Wild Coast's rich natural heritage.

So saddle up and prepare to discover the hidden floral treasures that make this region such a magical destination.

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