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Melianthus major (Introduced)

Melianthus major L., Sp. Pl. 2: 639 [as 939] 1753. ;
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Cape Prov.; Introduced into: Bolivia, East Himalaya, Norfolk Is., Spain, St.Helena as per POWO;
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Melianthus major (giant honey flower or Kruidjie-roer-my-nie) is a species of flowering plant in the family Melianthaceae. It is an evergreen suckering shrub, endemic to South Africa and naturalised in India, Australia and New Zealand.[1][2]

It grows to 2–3 m (7–10 ft) tall by 1–3 m (3–10 ft) wide, with pinnate blue-green leaves 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long, which have a distinctive odour. Dark red, nectar-laden flower spikes, 30–80 cm (12–31 in) 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]
(From Wikipedia on 16.1.14)
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Bangalore-Ooty November 2013 :: Requesting ID of this plant at Ooty :: 17122013 :: ARK-20: Attachments (4). 9 posts by 6 authors.
Requesting to please ID this plant captured growing wild by the roadside in Ooty in November 2013.

Very interesting find. I have not seen anything like this before. It is a Polygonaceae and is probably a Rumex or some other genus of that family.
The image DSC 09369 shows simple leaves with dentate margins. Whereas image DSC 09368 and DSC 09475 show pinnately lobed leaves with dentate margins, showing that this plant has dimorphic leaves. Perhaps the young plants have simple leaves and subsequent leaves are pinnately lobed.
I will try to identify it through websites. It may take time.

This is an exotic plant growing in upper Nilgiris. Melianthus major, Melianthaceae

… is absolutely correct. It is a South African plant introduced and naturalised in W. Himalayas and NIlgiri hills.

Very interesting plant!
First I also thought it a Polygonaceae. Many thanks to … for identification.
Thanks to … too for sharing this unique plant.

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For ID assistance ornamental from Ooty SN July 14 : 2 posts by 2 authors. Attachments (3).
ID of ornamental ? shrub ? garden escape in Nilgiri hill, Tamilnadu

Melianthus major (giant honey flower) of family Melianthaceae.

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SK 3512 25 May 2022: 2 very high res. images.

Location: Eden Project, Cornwall, UK
Altitude: 60m.
Date: 03 April 2022
Habit : Cultivated

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707 ID wild plant: 20 high res. images.
Please ID wild plant,

Location: near Ooty Botanical Garden The Nilgiris Tamil Nadu INDIA
Altitude: 7300fsl
Flower date: 02APR2025, 03.05pm
Habitat: wild moisture sloppy misty highland 
Plant habit: large erect branched shrub, hard cylindrical flaky stem 03.05cm base diameter, perennial
Height: 06 feet
Leaves: alternate imparipinnate; leaflets 05 pairs opposite acute simple flexible smooth serrated margins, size upto: 08×4cm, bracts
Flower: terminal spike inflorescence, clustered, purplish, fragrant size:03×1.5cm
Fruit: drupe green lobbed size: 03.5×2.5cm
Seed:

Yes, it is Melianthus major, dear …, thank you very much for ID my plant

 

 

 

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References:

POWO  The Plant List Ver. 1.1  Tropicos  GRIN  India Biodiversity Portal  Wikipedia  PFAF 
Updated on October 5, 2025