About Buchu

Plant description

Two species of buchu are commercially grown and cultivated, namely agothosma betulina and agothosma crenulata.

Agathosma betulina is a resprouting, evergreen, broad-leaved, fragrant woody shrub. It grows to a height of up to 2 metres but seldom stands more than 1 metre high. The plant stems are light green to dark red in colour; older stems have a grey and woody, bark-like appearance. 

The leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. They are green, about 20mm long and leathery and glossy. Round essential-oil glands can clearly be seen on the leaf. The leaves have a finely serrated margin and distinctive “scratchy” feel to the hand. 

The large flowers have five petals arranged in a star shape. They are usually solitary and white to purplish pink in colour. Flowering occurs between June and November. 

In extreme mature cases agothosma crenulata takes on the appearance of a young willow tree, with woody stems of up to 5 cm in diameter.

Unripe seed pods are green and turn darker and brownish upon ripening. Pods split open to disperse the seeds. 

Agathosma crenulata is an evergreen, fragrant woody shrub. It grows to a height of up to 3 metres, and in extreme mature cases takes on the appearance of a young willow tree, with woody stems of up to 5 cm in diameter. 

Younger plant stems are light green to dark red in colour, while older stems have a grey and woody, bark-like appearance.

At ±30mm, the leaves are more elongated than agathosma betulina and generally larger. They are green to dark green in colour. They are also leathery and glossy, and situated opposite each other on the stems. The leaves are also serrated, but agathosma crenulata leaves have a softer and less curved appearance and are softer and more leathery to the touch. Round essential-oil glands are visible on the leaves. Flowers and seed pods are similar in appearance to agothosma betulina.