2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Brunia (Latin Brunia) - spectacular exotic dried flowers, which is a representative of the Bruniev family of the same name. This genus was first described in 1785 by Jean Baptiste Lamarck, a famous French botanist.
Description
Brunia is a luxurious dried flower, equipped with fancy decorative fruits. This evergreen heather-like shrub is characterized by rather intensive branching and the presence of simple and small alternately arranged leaves, sitting on the stems very, very densely, almost tiled. All the leaves of Brunia are needle-shaped, with smooth edges, and at their very tips you can see miniature black protrusions. By the way, these leaves are somewhat reminiscent of pine needles!
Tiny white bisexual flowers of Brunia gather in spectacular spike-shaped or capitate inflorescences, which in turn form amazingly beautiful racemose or apical paniculate inflorescences. Brunia is pollinated exclusively by insects.
The fruits of this plant boast a clear rounded shape and surprisingly beautiful silvery shades - it is for these fruits that Brunia is very much appreciated in floristry!
In total, the genus of Brunia has, according to some sources, only six species, and according to others - nine. In addition, on the network you can find information that the genus of Brunia includes thirty-seven species.
Where grows
The natural area of distribution of Brunia is limited to the Cape region located in South Africa.
Usage
Thanks to its impressive spectacularity and extreme unusualness, brunia is quite successfully used in floristry - its silvery "year-olds", somewhat reminiscent of luxurious jewelry, look especially great in magnificent Christmas and New Year compositions. In addition, this plant can often be seen in bridal bouquets. And if you place the fruits of brunia too close to each other, it will not be difficult to get an extremely interesting texture!
Before putting fresh brunia twigs in water, it is recommended to prune them, while taking a little water. And after drying, this plant can be safely used as a dried flower!
Growing and caring
Brunia will grow well on slightly acidified sandy soils, while it should be located in sunny areas with good drainage and moderate moisture. This beauty is very resistant to winds, but it is very sensitive to frost - due to the fact that Brunia is able to withstand a temperature drop only to zero degrees or, in the most extreme case, to minus one degree, it is planted mainly in characterized by mild and warm winters southern regions. And in areas with a temperate climate, this plant will feel great in greenhouses or greenhouses. Also, in the middle lane, it is quite permissible to resort to container cultivation with the movement of Brunia for the winter in slightly cool rooms.
Brunia needs moderate watering (this beauty cannot stand an excess of moisture), in addition, with the onset of spring and autumn, it should be fed with well-rotted compost and low doses of high-quality organic fertilizers.
By the way, Brunia boasts a truly impressive ability to survive and recover from fires - it will be one of the first to grow back next season!
And the reproduction of brunia is carried out in a vegetative way - cuttings for these purposes are taken either in the fall or in the spring from young semi-lignified lateral shoots of exceptionally healthy specimens.
