Rhigozum obovatum is an ideal shrub or small tree to bring
life to gardens in dry areas where water is in short supply and
garden maintenance is low. Although the yellow pomegranate looks
drab during a large part of the year, it turns into a spectacular
showy sight after the first rains in spring or early summer when
it is covered in a mass of bright yellow flowers. When rain is sporadic
it may have several flushes of bloom.
is a much-branched, spiny shrub or small tree 1.0-4.5 m high. The
leaves are opposite or in a cluster, trifoliolate (compound leaf
with three leaflets) or rarely simple, and they are borne on short,
spine-tipped side shoots. The leaflets are obovate (egg-shaped and
widest at the tips), 5-13 x 2-5 mm, greyish green, often finely
notched, the margin is entire, rolled under, and the petiole is
2-6 mm long. The flowers are produced singly along the branches
where the leaves emerge. They are showy, bright yellow, tubular
or funnel-shaped with 5 lobes. Flowers are followed by fruits which
are pendulous, flattened, pod-like capsules, up to 80 mm long, white
brownish in colour, and split along the flat surface when mature
to release buff-coloured seeds with papery wings.
This beautiful plant occurs in the central to eastern Karoo, extending
into southeastern Lesotho and the southern Free State. It often
grows on rocky outcrops (koppies) in this summer rainfall, but semi-arid
region. Winters are cold and the plant is frost tolerant. It can
be grown on the highveld provided it is not over-watered and it
will flower there and produce viable seed.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
Rhigozum is derived from the Greek rhigios meaning
stiff and ozos, a branch, a reference to the plant's rigid
branches and obovatum is derived from the Latin word meaning
egg-shaped with the widest point near the tip, referring to the
This is a fairly large family that is mostly concentrated in tropical
America. Plants in this family often bear beautiful flowers, and
include the jacaranda tree which is an alien invader that comes
from Brazil, the showy African flame tree, Spathodea campanulata
which comes from tropical Africa and the shrub, Cape honeysuckle,
Tecoma (= Tecomaria) capensis, which is indigenous to this
The bright yellow colour of the flowers attracts bees.
Uses and cultural aspects
It is heavily browsed by game and stock.
Growing Rhigozum obovatum
The yellow pomegranate can withstand dry conditions and neglect,
but for best results, lots of compost should be added to the soil.
It is important to plant it in a well-drained soil and it looks
best placed at the back of other shrubs so that its leggy base is
hidden from view.
Rhigozum obovatum is easily propagated from seed sown from
late spring to early autumn in a well-drained medium of 100% river
sand or one part river sand to one part bark. Seed trays should
be kept in a warm place and watered daily. After about 3 weeks the
seed will start to germinate. Seedlings can be planted out after
three months. (Werner Voigt pers. comm.).
Carr, J.D. 1994. The propagation and cultivation of indigenous
trees and shrubs on the Highveld. Sandton Nature Conservation
and the Tree Society of Southern Africa, Natal.
Coates Palgrave, M. 2002. Keith Coates Palgrave Trees of southern
Africa, edn 3. Struik, Cape Town.
Joffe, P. 1993. The gardener`s guide to South African plants.
Tafelberg, Cape Town.
Keith, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. 1985. Everyone`s guide to
trees of South Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
Le Roux, P.M., Kotzè, C.D., Nel, G.D. & Glen, H.F. 1994.
Bossieveld. Department of Agriculture, Pretoria.
Palmer, E. & Pitman, N. 1972 & 1973. Trees of southern
Africa. 3 vols. Balkema, Cape Town.
Van Wyk, Braam & Van Wyk, Piet. 1997. Field guide to trees
of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
Free State National Botanical Gardens