Calopsis paniculata is a tall reed like plant with bright
green leaves and stems reaching a height of 3m. It bears clusters
of brown grass-like flowers at the terminal ends of the stems. The
male and female parts are borne on separate plants, with the female
plants bearing small snowy white inflorescences and the male plants
bearing less showy inflorescences. The stems arise out of the ground
from a strong underground rhizome with the lower parts of the stem
looking somewhat bamboo-like.
This is an attractive waterside plant which is normally found growing
in waterlogged soils on river or stream banks. It is widespread,
occurring from the south western Cape through the wetter areas along
the seaboard into KwaZulu-Natal.
As is the case with most restios, calopsis is wind pollinated,
relying on the wind to carry the pollen from the male to the female
plant. It is therefore necessary to plant several specimens reasonably
close together if you wish to harvest seed.
Calopsis is often used for the making of brooms in the Eastern
Cape province as it has shorter branches and more wiry stems than
many of the other Cape reeds, which are more often used for thatching.
The name Calopsis is derived from Kalos meaning beautiful
and opsis meaning sight. The specific name paniculata
means a tuft.
Growing Calopsis paniculata
Calopsis is most attractive when used either fresh or dried in
flower arrangements and in the garden forms a wonderful lush green
backdrop to a water garden. Calopsis can tolerate a moderate degree
of frost and enjoys being planted in full sun with its roots in
water. Care should be taken when transplanting young plants out
of the bag into the garden as undue disturbance and especially root
desiccation can be fatal.
Plants may be propagated from seed which can be sown in spring
or autumn . The seed needs to be sown on a fine sandy medium and
kept consistently moist throughout the germination period. Seed
germination can be increased by the use of watering with water treated
with smoke treated paper which stimulates germination.
Calopsis is comprised of 24 species in South Africa, mostly
occuring in the south western Cape. The genus Calopsis belongs
to the family Restionaceae, more commonly known as Cape reeds or
restios. Restios are somewhat similar in appearance, although not
related, to the grasses. The fact that Restionaceae are often diocecious
(separate male and female plants) can be confusing as the males
and female plants may look like totally different species.
- Arnold, T.H. & De Wet, B.C. (Eds) 1993. Plants of southern
Africa: names and distribution. Memoirs of the botanical Survey
of South Africa No 62. National Botanical Institute: Pretoria.
- Brown, N., Jamieson, H. & Botha, P. 1998. Grow Restios.
Kirstenbosch Gardening Series. National Botanical Institute :
- Dorrat-Haaksma,E.& Linder, H.P. 2000. Restios of the Fynbos.
Botanical Society of South Africa: Cape Town.
- Jackson. W.P. U. 1990. Origins and meanings of names of South
African plant genera.UCT Ecolab: Capetown.
- Stern, W.T. 1983. Botanical Latin - New edition. David &
Charles inc. : USA.
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden