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Cliffortia
Cliffortia
Cliffortia
Cliffortia
Cliffortia (Cliffortia)
Cliffortia is a genus of plants that has been assigned to the rose family, with currently 132 known species. Its species can be found in southern Africa, particularly in the Cape Floristic Region. Cliffortia species are mostly upright shrubs, but some species develop into small trees of up to 5 m high. The stipules have merged with the base of the leaf and form a sheath around the branch. Leaflets may be thin or leathery, broad to needle-shaped, with the margin serrated or entire, and may have a spiny tip. Cliffortia has separate male and female flowers in the leaf axils, which are mostly set individually but sometimes in clusters. One or two achenes may develop in each flower, within the inflating calyx.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
info

Key Facts About Cliffortia

Attributes of Cliffortia

Leaf type
Semi-evergreen

Scientific Classification of Cliffortia

distribution

Distribution of Cliffortia

Distribution Map of Cliffortia

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
habit
species

Exploring the Cliffortia Plants

8 most common species:
Cliffortia ruscifolia
Prickly bush
Prickly bush is a fascinating plant with unique features. This species, widely used in gardens, attracts numerous insects and birds with its vibrant blossoms that bloom throughout the year. Interestingly, its name is derived from the resemblance of its foliage to that of the Ruscus plant. Moreover, prickly bush possesses a special ability to thrive in various ecosystems, making it a versatile and resilient addition to any landscape.
Cliffortia heterophylla
Cliffortia heterophylla
Cliffortia heterophylla can be found in peaty seepages on temperate mountain slopes, growing tall with red bark and long, thin green leaves that are often tinged with yellow. Its leaves are unique in that the plant produces two different kinds: the leaves except those on the top of the stems and branches are uniform in length with even, fine teeth. Those found at the top are ovate with teeth that are hard to spot.
Cliffortia arcuata
Cliffortia arcuata
Cliffortia arcuata is a hardy shrub that thrives in its native rugged terrain, curving gracefully with arching stems. Its small, oval leaves are densely packed along these stems, presenting a deep green facade. Tiny, inconspicuous flowers adorn cliffortia arcuata and may escape the casual observer, while its robust architecture hints at its resilience in withstanding harsh conditions.
Cliffortia glauca
Cliffortia glauca
Cliffortia glauca is characterized by its silvery-grey, small ovate leaves with fine hairs that give it a glaucous appearance. This hardy bush often bears inconspicuous red or green flowers. Adapting to rocky outcrops, cliffortia glauca's compact growth and tough foliage reflect its resilience against harsh, windswept conditions.
Cliffortia eriocephalina
Cliffortia eriocephalina
Cliffortia eriocephalina is a resilient shrub, typically flourishing in rocky, mountainous regions. Its distinctive woolly flower heads are a unique adaptation for retaining moisture. The lance-shaped leaves, often with rolled edges, contribute to water conservation, exemplifying its specializations for survival in harsh, arid climates.
Cliffortia stricta
Cliffortia stricta
Cliffortia stricta is a resilient shrub, favoring rocky outcrops and slopes where limited competition allows it to thrive. Its lean, upright branches carry small, tough leaves and clusters of inconspicuous flowers, adapted to withstand harsh, windy conditions. Over time, cliffortia stricta forms dense, hardy thickets, critical for erosion control and offering shelter to local wildlife.
Cliffortia obovata
Cliffortia obovata
Cliffortia obovata is characterized by its rounded, leathery leaves and a tendency to thrive in rocky, mountainous areas. Its resilience in these harsh environments is marked by a robust, woody stem and clusters of small, inconspicuous flowers that adapt well to high altitude conditions. This plant exhibits a compact growth habit, often forming dense, low-lying shrubs that contribute to its ability to withstand the challenges of its rugged habitat.
Cliffortia serpyllifolia
Cliffortia serpyllifolia
Cliffortia serpyllifolia is a hardy shrub that thrives in rocky alpine landscapes, exhibiting a robust adaptability to harsh conditions. It features small, densely clustered leaves resembling those of thyme, which may help in water conservation. With delicate flowers that bear testimony to its resilience, cliffortia serpyllifolia provides subtle charm amid the rugged terrain where it takes root.

All Species of Cliffortia

Prickly bush
Cliffortia ruscifolia
Prickly bush
Prickly bush is a fascinating plant with unique features. This species, widely used in gardens, attracts numerous insects and birds with its vibrant blossoms that bloom throughout the year. Interestingly, its name is derived from the resemblance of its foliage to that of the Ruscus plant. Moreover, prickly bush possesses a special ability to thrive in various ecosystems, making it a versatile and resilient addition to any landscape.
Cliffortia heterophylla
Cliffortia heterophylla
Cliffortia heterophylla
Cliffortia heterophylla can be found in peaty seepages on temperate mountain slopes, growing tall with red bark and long, thin green leaves that are often tinged with yellow. Its leaves are unique in that the plant produces two different kinds: the leaves except those on the top of the stems and branches are uniform in length with even, fine teeth. Those found at the top are ovate with teeth that are hard to spot.
Cliffortia arcuata
Cliffortia arcuata
Cliffortia arcuata
Cliffortia arcuata is a hardy shrub that thrives in its native rugged terrain, curving gracefully with arching stems. Its small, oval leaves are densely packed along these stems, presenting a deep green facade. Tiny, inconspicuous flowers adorn cliffortia arcuata and may escape the casual observer, while its robust architecture hints at its resilience in withstanding harsh conditions.
Cliffortia glauca
Cliffortia glauca
Cliffortia glauca
Cliffortia glauca is characterized by its silvery-grey, small ovate leaves with fine hairs that give it a glaucous appearance. This hardy bush often bears inconspicuous red or green flowers. Adapting to rocky outcrops, cliffortia glauca's compact growth and tough foliage reflect its resilience against harsh, windswept conditions.
Cliffortia eriocephalina
Cliffortia eriocephalina
Cliffortia eriocephalina
Cliffortia eriocephalina is a resilient shrub, typically flourishing in rocky, mountainous regions. Its distinctive woolly flower heads are a unique adaptation for retaining moisture. The lance-shaped leaves, often with rolled edges, contribute to water conservation, exemplifying its specializations for survival in harsh, arid climates.
Cliffortia stricta
Cliffortia stricta
Cliffortia stricta
Cliffortia stricta is a resilient shrub, favoring rocky outcrops and slopes where limited competition allows it to thrive. Its lean, upright branches carry small, tough leaves and clusters of inconspicuous flowers, adapted to withstand harsh, windy conditions. Over time, cliffortia stricta forms dense, hardy thickets, critical for erosion control and offering shelter to local wildlife.
Cliffortia obovata
Cliffortia obovata
Cliffortia obovata
Cliffortia obovata is characterized by its rounded, leathery leaves and a tendency to thrive in rocky, mountainous areas. Its resilience in these harsh environments is marked by a robust, woody stem and clusters of small, inconspicuous flowers that adapt well to high altitude conditions. This plant exhibits a compact growth habit, often forming dense, low-lying shrubs that contribute to its ability to withstand the challenges of its rugged habitat.
Cliffortia serpyllifolia
Cliffortia serpyllifolia
Cliffortia serpyllifolia
Cliffortia serpyllifolia is a hardy shrub that thrives in rocky alpine landscapes, exhibiting a robust adaptability to harsh conditions. It features small, densely clustered leaves resembling those of thyme, which may help in water conservation. With delicate flowers that bear testimony to its resilience, cliffortia serpyllifolia provides subtle charm amid the rugged terrain where it takes root.
Cliffortia graminea
Cliffortia graminea
Cliffortia graminea
Cliffortia graminea is a hardy perennial shrub, native to rocky terrain, thriving amidst harsh conditions. It distinguishes itself with slender, grass-like leaves and wiry stems, adapted to conserve water in arid climates. Its growth form—a low, dense mat—shields it from strong winds, while small, inconspicuous flowers blend into the foliage, a modest display of survival in challenging environments.
Cliffortia strobilifera
Cliffortia strobilifera
Cliffortia strobilifera
Cliffortia strobilifera is known for its pinecone-like inflorescences that lend it a distinctive look. This shrub flourishes in rocky terrain, where its deep-rooted system anchors against the rugged landscape. The foliage has a robust and prickly form, adapted to deter grazers and cope with harsh climates. The plant's resilient nature allows it to thrive in challenging environments, often contributing to its unique appearance.
Cliffortia crenata
Cliffortia crenata
Cliffortia crenata
Cliffortia crenata is an adaptable shrub, known for its small, serrated, evergreen leaves that cluster densely on its branches, resembling a vibrant green cushion. Its habitat often molds its form, thriving in rocky, mountainous landscapes where it can secure its roots firmly. Unique wave-like leaf margins are a signature trait, aiding in water retention—crucial for survival in such harsh terrains.
Cliffortia neglecta
Cliffortia neglecta
Cliffortia neglecta
Cliffortia neglecta is a hardy shrub adapted to rugged terrain, often characterized by its arching branches and small, leathery leaves. The leaves typically bear fine teeth, an adaptation likely for water conservation. Small, inconspicuous flowers appear on cliffortia neglecta, usually unnoticed amid its dense foliage, playing a subtle yet crucial role in the local ecosystem.
Cliffortia hirsuta
Cliffortia hirsuta
Cliffortia hirsuta
Cliffortia hirsuta boasts a rugged vitality, with its densely hairy and slightly curled leaves offering a protective velvet against harsh environmental conditions. Its robust, wiry stems rise confidently, bedecked by small yet hardy flowers adapted to thrive in challenging, stony habitats. This tenacious shrub is a beacon of resilience, gracefully enduring where others might falter.
Cliffortia atrata
Cliffortia atrata
Cliffortia atrata
Cliffortia atrata is a distinctive flora with dark, often blackish foliage, a trait giving rise to its name. It typically grows in rocky alpine regions, where its robust, woody stems and small, tough leaves have evolved to withstand harsh conditions. The inconspicuous flowers may blend with the dark leaves, a survival adaptation to its stark habitat.
Cliffortia burchellii
Cliffortia burchellii
Cliffortia burchellii
Cliffortia burchellii is a resilient shrub widely recognized for its dense, spiny foliage, designed to conserve water in arid climates. It bears small, inconspicuous flowers that blend with leathery leaves, giving cliffortia burchellii a modest appearance yet allowing it to thrive in tough environments. Its adaptability to rocky terrains indicates a plant hardwired for survival, through both its form and function.
Cliffortia reniformis
Cliffortia reniformis
Cliffortia reniformis
Cliffortia reniformis is characterized by its kidney-shaped leaves and a shrubby growth habit, typically found in rocky, mountainous regions where it adapts to tough soil conditions. Its leaves line the stems in dense clusters, providing a hardy, low-maintenance greenery. The plant's durability makes it a resilient inhabitant of its challenging native habitats.
Cliffortia paucistaminea
Cliffortia paucistaminea
Cliffortia paucistaminea
Cliffortia paucistaminea is characterized by its small, grouped flowers with notably few stamens, a feature hinted at by its name. This perennial shrub thrives in rocky, mountainous regions, its woody stems and leathery foliage adapted to withstand harsh, windy conditions. The plant exhibits a tough resilience, with a modest yet robust bloom, reflecting its survival strategy nested in challenging terrains.
Cliffortia odorata
Cliffortia odorata
Cliffortia odorata
Cliffortia odorata is a captivating shrub notable for its sweet fragrance, which is most pronounced after rain. It flourishes in rocky, mountainous terrains, where its dark green leaves contrast sharply with the often gray backdrop of stones and cliffs. The serrated leaf margins of this plant are a distinctive trait, and its hardy nature allows it to thrive even in the challenging conditions of its native landscape, showcasing nature's resilience.
Cliffortia cuneata
Cliffortia cuneata
Cliffortia cuneata
Cliffortia cuneata is a hardy, perennial shrub that thrives in rocky, mountainous terrains. Its small, wedge-shaped leaves and dense, mat-forming growth habit are key adaptations to its windswept habitats. Distinctive reddish stems contrast with the dark green foliage, and its inconspicuous, yellowish flowers bloom close to the leaf axils, enabling pollination in challenging high-elevation climates.
Cliffortia linearifolia
Cliffortia linearifolia
Cliffortia linearifolia
Cliffortia linearifolia (Cliffortia linearifolia) is an evergreen featuring unique needle-like leaves growing in tufts along the full length of the branches. It is found bordering mountain ranges in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique. Both the branches and leaves are particularly small, with the leaves maxing out at about 9 mm.
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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Key Facts
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All Species
More Genus
Cliffortia
Cliffortia
Cliffortia
Cliffortia
Cliffortia
Cliffortia
Cliffortia
Cliffortia
Cliffortia is a genus of plants that has been assigned to the rose family, with currently 132 known species. Its species can be found in southern Africa, particularly in the Cape Floristic Region. Cliffortia species are mostly upright shrubs, but some species develop into small trees of up to 5 m high. The stipules have merged with the base of the leaf and form a sheath around the branch. Leaflets may be thin or leathery, broad to needle-shaped, with the margin serrated or entire, and may have a spiny tip. Cliffortia has separate male and female flowers in the leaf axils, which are mostly set individually but sometimes in clusters. One or two achenes may develop in each flower, within the inflating calyx.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
info

Key Facts About Cliffortia

Attributes of Cliffortia

Leaf type
Semi-evergreen

Scientific Classification of Cliffortia

distribution

Distribution of Cliffortia

Distribution Map of Cliffortia

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
species

Exploring the Cliffortia Plants

8 most common species:
Cliffortia ruscifolia
Prickly bush
Prickly bush is a fascinating plant with unique features. This species, widely used in gardens, attracts numerous insects and birds with its vibrant blossoms that bloom throughout the year. Interestingly, its name is derived from the resemblance of its foliage to that of the Ruscus plant. Moreover, prickly bush possesses a special ability to thrive in various ecosystems, making it a versatile and resilient addition to any landscape.
Cliffortia heterophylla
Cliffortia heterophylla
Cliffortia heterophylla can be found in peaty seepages on temperate mountain slopes, growing tall with red bark and long, thin green leaves that are often tinged with yellow. Its leaves are unique in that the plant produces two different kinds: the leaves except those on the top of the stems and branches are uniform in length with even, fine teeth. Those found at the top are ovate with teeth that are hard to spot.
Cliffortia arcuata
Cliffortia arcuata
Cliffortia arcuata is a hardy shrub that thrives in its native rugged terrain, curving gracefully with arching stems. Its small, oval leaves are densely packed along these stems, presenting a deep green facade. Tiny, inconspicuous flowers adorn cliffortia arcuata and may escape the casual observer, while its robust architecture hints at its resilience in withstanding harsh conditions.
Cliffortia glauca
Cliffortia glauca
Cliffortia glauca is characterized by its silvery-grey, small ovate leaves with fine hairs that give it a glaucous appearance. This hardy bush often bears inconspicuous red or green flowers. Adapting to rocky outcrops, cliffortia glauca's compact growth and tough foliage reflect its resilience against harsh, windswept conditions.
Show More Species

All Species of Cliffortia

popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
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17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
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Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
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