Melianthus major, the giant honey flower or kruidjie-roer-my-nie (Afrikaans for 'herb-touch-me-not'), is a species of flowering plant in the family Francoaceae. It is an evergreen suckering shrub, endemic to South Africa and naturalised in India, Australia and New Zealand.[1] [2] It grows to 2- tall by 1- wide, with pinnate blue-green leaves 30- long, which have a distinctive musky odour. Dark red, nectar-laden flower spikes, 30- in length, appear in spring, followed by green pods.[1] [3] All parts of the plants are poisonous.[2]
The Latin binomial Melianthus major literally means "large honey flower".[4] The plant is also sometimes called honeybush (along with many other plants).
In cultivation this plant requires a sheltered location and may also need a protective winter mulch in temperate regions. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5] [6]