The common name for Berzelia is common button bush or common berzelia in English. In Afrikaans, it is known as vleiknoppiesbos, vleikolkol, or kolkolbos.
I have come across Berzelia in my gardening and landscaping experiences, and it is a fascinating plant with unique characteristics. The common button bush is a small shrub that is native to South Africa. It belongs to the family Bruniaceae and the genus Berzelia. The specific epithet “lanuginosa” refers to the plant’s woolly or hairy appearance.
The choice of common name, “common button bush,” reflects the plant’s appearance. The small, round flower heads resemble buttons, and the plant has a bushy growth habit. The term “common” indicates that this particular species of Berzelia is widely found and recognized.
In my personal experience, I have found that the common name “common berzelia” is often used interchangeably with “common button bush” to refer to the same plant. This can sometimes lead to confusion, as there are other species of Berzelia that may have different common names. However, when specifically referring to Berzelia lanuginosa, both common names are generally understood.
To summarize, the common name for Berzelia lanuginosa is common button bush or common berzelia in English. In Afrikaans, it is known as vleiknoppiesbos, vleikolkol, or kolkolbos.
