Other Eriocephalus
Several related shrubs share woolly fruit heads and aromatic leaves.
Use the botanical sourceStudy first
Kapokbos.
Eriocephalus africanus
Also found as Wild rosemary · Wilderoosmaryn
A silvery Cape shrub with narrow aromatic leaves and woolly fruit heads; distinct from culinary rosemary.
Sources checked 9 September 2026 · Specialist field review pending
Before any gathering or use
The name wild rosemary covers unrelated plants. Do not substitute it for culinary rosemary or ingest oils.
Where it grows
Tracked records and known growing zone
- Verified records
- 2,447
- People who recorded it
- 1,015
- Most records (southern hemisphere)
- Apr–Jul
- Records span
- 1985–2026
| January | 17 |
|---|---|
| February | 14 |
| March | 55 |
| April | 695 |
| May | 395 |
| June | 265 |
| July | 276 |
| August | 263 |
| September | 252 |
| October | 132 |
| November | 51 |
| December | 21 |
Research-grade iNaturalist records, snapshot Aug 27, 2026. The growing zone combines areas where different people have repeatedly verified it. Records show where people looked and found it, not current abundance or permission to gather.
01 / Learn to see
Field marks
- 01
Small narrow grey leaves clustered along branches.
- 02
Small white daisy heads with darker centers.
- 03
Fluffy white fruit heads follow flowering.
These are study prompts, not a complete identification key. Confirm the full plant with a regional flora and an experienced local identifier.
02 / Resolve the differences
Look closely. Compare.
Selected comparisons only. Other lookalikes may occur locally.
03 / Meet the place
Habitat & season
Range context
South African Cape regions; leaf form varies between coastal and inland populations.
Watch the plant stage
Best studied in flower and fruit; flowering often occurs in the local cooler, wetter season.
Stage guidance is not a local forecast. Check your climate, elevation and a regional source; no month-shift formula is used here.
04 / Gather with care
Documented use & care
Parts discussed: Flowering top
Included for botanical study and documented regional plant-use history; no remedy is supplied.
Care for the patch
Observe wild shrubs without stripping branches; favor a cultivated specimen.
Preparation & storage essentials05 / Follow the evidence
Sources & review
- SANBI PlantZAfrica · KapokbosBotanical description, range and documented use
Checked 9 September 2026. Original editorial synthesis; source institutions have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Independent botanical field review is pending. Photos illustrate specimens; they do not certify the identity of a plant you find.
Suggest a correction