CHONDROPETALUM. South Africa. The restio family has recently aroused considerable interest here, probably destined to last until our next big drought (many of its members are moisture lovers). However, let us enjoy them while we can. The chondropetalums are among the most dramatic and interesting of the group, somewhat resembling our rushes (Juncus).They have dense clumps of more or less erect, dark green, leafless stems (or rather, the leaves are reduced to bracts, which dry quickly). They carry branched, elongated clusters of chaffy brown to nearly black flowers, either male or female, at the shoot tips–actually quite ornamental, though they don’t fit the conventional image of “flowers”. These are valuable plants for poolside, reasonably well-watered borders and large tubs. They thrive in sun or light shade and many non-alkaline soils. The following should be hardy as shown.

mucronatum. This is a robust plant, eventually forming broad thickets with individual stems 3-5’ high, partly covered at first by large papery bracts. The flower panicles are broad and dense, reminiscent of those of sorghum. About 25^oF.

tectorum. This is the best-known species, at least in California. It makes more compact clumps than the preceding species, with more slender stems and smaller, darker bracts. The flower clusters are narrow and graceful, making interesting additions to flower arrangements. Probably 20^oF. or less.