Top 20 Most Common Plants in Lesotho

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Top 20 Most Common Plants in Lesotho

In Lesotho, you can find Grain sorghum, Flossflower, Jewels of Opar, Common purslane, Ribwort plantain, and more! There are 20 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

Most Common Plants

Grain sorghum

1. Grain sorghum

The grain of grain sorghum is utilized for human consumption, animal feed, and ethanol manufacturing. It is commonly grown in tropical and subtropical countries, originating in Africa. The grain is used to make liquor, animal feed, and bio-based ethanol, among other things.

Flossflower

Flossflower (Ageratum houstonianum) is a low-growing annual that attracts butterflies bees and birds. Fragrant aster-like flowers blooming from spring to fall are usually vibrant blue but can also be white or pink. This plant prefers full sun to partial shade is resistant to deer and rabbits and makes a colorful addition to any garden. 15 to 30 cm in height.

Jewels of Opar

3. Jewels of Opar

Jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum) is a succulent shrub species native to North and South America, as well as the Caribbean islands. After its introduction, though, it became culturally important in some East Asian regions. The jewels of Opar grows and spreads quickly because any part of its root can sprout into a full plant once it's in the soil.

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Common purslane

4. Common purslane

Portulaca oleracea, colloquially known as common purslane, is an annual succulent species with reddish stems and tiny yellow, five-petal flowers. It is used for culinary purposes in various parts of the world, most often raw, in salads. Common purslane is also a good companion plant for crops that thrive in moist soils.

Ribwort plantain

5. Ribwort plantain

Ribwort plantain grows in a number of different habitats as long as it has enough sunlight. Its leaves have characteristic parallel veins that make it easy to identify. The heads of ribwort plantains get popped off in some common British children's games. Its seeds are critical food sources for songbirds, and its leaves are eaten by rabbits and deer.

Greater periwinkle

6. Greater periwinkle

Greater periwinkle (Vinca major) is an evergreen shrub native to the Western Mediterranean. It features lavender-colored flowers, and thick, lustrous deep green foliage. To avoid garden invasion and also for ornamental purposes, it's best to grow this plant in hanging pots or in window containers.

Red hot poker

7. Red hot poker

Referring to its red hue and its flower formation, the red hot poker has flowering spikes of pale yellow, apricot, orange, and red that bloom in summer. The blooming flowers contain an abundance of nectar, attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Because of its invasiveness, it is currently considered an environmental weed in portions of south-eastern Australia.

Bush lily

The bush lily is a flowering green plant that grows best in woodland environments. It is native to South Africa. It gives off a fragrant scent, but is toxic and poisonous if eaten. In the wild, bush lily plants tend to grow together in clumps.

Olive

Olive (Olea europaea) is an evergreen tree or shrub with great agricultural importance, especially in the Mediterranean. Its fruits are edible and widely used for making oil. Olive has acquired quite a few symbolic meanings during its long history of cultivation. The most popular symbol would probably be the olive branch, which represents peace and glory.

Wild iris

Wild iris (Dietes grandiflora) is a large wild perennial plant in the iris family. It's commonly seen in its native regions of South Africa, used for horticulture and beautification of public spaces and gardens. In Australia, wild iris is considered a weed.

White clover

11. White clover

White clover (Trifolium repens) is a perennial herb, one of the most cultivated species of clover. It can be found on lawns and grasslands all over the world. White clover is often cultivated as a forage plant and used for green manure in agriculture.

Lambsquarters

12. Lambsquarters

Lambsquarters has many other names, including pigweed, goosefoot, and bacon weed. This plant seems to appear out of nowhere and is considered by many to be a pesky weed. However, the greens of this plant are edible, can be prepared similar to spinach, and are packed with nutrients.

Peach

Peach is native to Northwest China. China, Spain, and Italy are the top three producers of peaches world-wide. The peach is also the state fruit of Georgia. Peach production in the US in 2017 was valued at $599 million. The fruit has a yellow or white flesh, a sweet aroma, and a skin that is either velvety (peaches) or smooth (nectarines).

Elephant bush

14. Elephant bush

Elephant bush (*Portulacaria afra*) is a succulent native to South Africa, easily recognized by its small, rounded green leaves and crimson stems. This cute semi-evergreen succulent is cultivated as an ornamental, most commonly in escaping, and as a bonsai plant.

Hairy beggarticks

15. Hairy beggarticks

Hairy beggarticks (Bidens pilosa) is a slender, annual flowering plant native to North and South America and grown all over the world. Hairy beggarticks is also called black-jack and devils needles. Seed dispersal occurs with this plant, and its seeds are transported by animals. As a result, hairy beggarticks has become an invasive species in many countries.

Common morning glory

16. Common morning glory

Common morning glory natives in Mexico and Central America and is commonly planted as an ornamental plant prized for its colorful trumpet-shaped flowers. It is naturalized in temperate and subtropical areas globally and in many places, always grown weedy and is considered to be invasive in many parts of the world.

Prickly pear

17. Prickly pear

Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a flowering cactus native to Mexico. Prickly pear is a widely domesticated species grown for agricultural purposes in arid climates throughout the world. This species is edible and planted widely as a fruit and vegetable crop. Prickly pear is commercially valued as food, animal fodder, an adobe ingredient, and is also planted to control soil erosion.

Weeping willow

18. Weeping willow

Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is a willow tree that originates in China. Now, it grows widely around the globe due to being traded on the Silk Road. This tree is planted ornamentally in parks and gardens.

Balloon plant

19. Balloon plant

Balloon plant is grown ornamentally for its white flowers and the balloon-shaped follicles for which it is named. These follicles are filled with air and covered in spiny hairs, eventually opening to release seeds. They make interesting additions to flower arrangements. This plant is an important food for Monarch butterfly caterpillars.

Common chickweed

20. Common chickweed

The common chickweed gets its name due to the fact that chickens love to eat it, though they're not alone in that respect. Though it's often considered a nuisance weed, most parts of this plant can be consumed raw or cooked and used similar to spinach. The saponins in common chickweed are slightly toxic but will only have an effect if ingested in huge quantities.

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More Plants in Lesotho

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Lesotho's variable climate, with rainfall ranging from semi-arid to sub-humid and fertile soils, provides a conducive environment for a diversity of flora, including toxic botanical species. The prevalence of , , and exemplifies the array of hazardous vegetation present, which poses risks to humans and livestock. Careful monitoring and management of these plants are essential to mitigate potential threats to the ecosystem and public health.

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Most Common Flowers

Lesotho, with its high altitude and temperate climate, provides an ideal environment for the growth of native flowers. The fertile soil and plentiful rainfall contribute to the resplendent blooms found in this region. Amongst these, , , and stand out for their visual beauty, cultural significance, and ecological importance. These flowers enrich the landscape, showcasing the diversity and resilience of Lesotho's flora. This information is sourced from reliable botanical references and local experts in the field.

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

As Spring unfurls in Lesotho, rolling landscapes transition from the starkness of winter to a tapestry of color. This season breathes life into , which carpets valleys with its vivid hues, symbolizing renewal. The starts to peek, its bloom embodying the warmth and joy of longer days. Meanwhile, emerges, its blossoms punctuating the greenery with splashes of color, crucial for local biodiversity. Together, they announce Spring's arrival in a silent symphony of growth.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

Spring in Lesotho blankets the valleys in verdant hues, inviting a celebratory harvest of local fruit plants nurtured by mild rains and the gentle warmth of the season. Among the bounty, , renowned for its juicy sweetness, reaches peak ripeness. The refreshing tang of follows, a favorite in refreshing seasonal dishes. Lastly, , bursting with flavor, symbolizes the freshness and rejuvenation inherent to Lesotho's springtime harvests.

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Most Common Fruits

Lesotho boasts a distinct highland climate and fertile soils, favorable for nurturing various local fruit plants. Among them, , , and are the most prominent, each deeply rooted in the country's cultural and dietary patterns. These fruit plants not only provide necessary nutrients to the local diet but also play a significant role in the traditional practices and economic lifeline of many Lesotho communities.

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Most Common Trees

Lesotho, a landlocked country in southern Africa, boasts a unique environment conducive to the growth of native trees. , , and are among the emblematic trees found in this territory. These trees hold significant cultural and ecological value for the region. The climatic and soil conditions provide an ideal habitat for their growth. These trees play an essential role in the ecosystem, contributing to biodiversity and providing resources for the local communities.

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Most Common Weeds

Nestled within the challenging high-altitude climate of Lesotho, gardeners often contend with invasive weeds suited to the region’s varied temperatures and mountainous terrain. These resilient garden invaders, including , , and , are common foes in the battle for cultivation supremacy. Persistent and prolific, these weeds present an ongoing management headache for those tending to both ornamental and vegetable gardens throughout this Southern African enclave.

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Most Common Tall Trees

Nestled atop the elevation of the Drakensberg range, Lesotho's cooler climates and mountainous landscapes allow certain robust trees to thrust skyward. Among these, , , and represent the tallest species in the region, each an ecological testament to endurance and history. Their majestic heights are not just natural marvels but central pillars to the local wildlife habitat. With their roots firmly in Lesotho's soil, these species embody the magnificent high-altitude forestation.

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

Winter in Lesotho is a serene and cold season, but surprisingly, it is home to several flowers that brave the chill. Despite the frosty environment, , , and blossom during this time, showcasing their resilience and beauty. These flowers add a touch of color and elegance to the winter landscape of Lesotho, symbolizing the strength and endurance found in nature.

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