Nemesia floribunda is a species of flowering plant in the family Scrophulariaceae. It is called by the common names Cape Jewels and Fleshy Nemesia and is an erect annual dicotyledon herb that is native to South Africa, but has naturalised elsewhere. It is commonly cultivated by home gardeners.
Description Nemesia floribunda grows to a height of between and . Its flowers are in diameter, and are white, with a pale yellow throat. The flowers are also bilobed, with the top lobe being shorter than the bottom; 3-4 mm (0.1 in) (upper lip) and 5–6 mm (0.2 in) (lower lip) respectively.New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. (n.d.). Nemesia floribunda. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/nemesia-floribunda/ The capsule is 10-12 mm long (0.4 in) and 5–6 mm wide (0.3 in).New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. (n.d.). Nemesia floribunda. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/nemesia-floribunda/ It has long leaves that are shortened and rounded with a wavy blade and narrow tip. Its seeds are with large wings, and the plant flowers between February and September.
Habitat and ecosystem
Nemesia floribunda is typically found in subtropical environments, specifically nearby dunes with lupin and elder shrubs. It is sometimes found in and around scrub, forest margins, on roadsides, and in the open forest and its frequented by bees.Webb, C. J., Sykes, W. R., & Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988). Volume IV - Flora of New Zealand Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons . Christchurch, New Zealand: Botany Division DSIR.
Taxonomy Nemesia floribunda was described by the German botanist Johann Georg Christian Lehmann, but was originally discovered and collected by Christian Friedrich Ecklon.
Distribution Nemesia floribunda is native to South Africa, but has naturalised in New Zealand, with main populations in the Dunedin areaWebb, C. J., Sykes, W. R., & Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988). Volume IV - Flora of New Zealand Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons . Christchurch, New Zealand: Botany Division DSIR, and Nelson area.iNaturalist NZ. Common Lionface (Nemesia floribunda). Retrieved May 29, 2026, from https://www.inaturalist.nz/observations?verifiable=true&taxon_id=404102&place_id=6803&preferred_place_id=6803 There are observations of wild Nemesia floribunda found as far north as Palmerston North, and as far south as Milton.iNaturalist NZ. Common Lionface (Nemesia floribunda). Retrieved May 29, 2026, from https://www.inaturalist.nz/observations?verifiable=true&taxon_id=404102&place_id=6803&preferred_place_id=6803 Within South Africa, Nemesia floribunda is native to Cape Provinces, Free State, and Lesotho regions.Plants of the World Online. (n.d.). Nemesia floribunda Lehm. Retrieved May 28, 2026, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:806280-1 There is at least one wild, confirmed sighting of the plant in the United Kingdom just outside of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Additionally, it is commonly grown in home and botanical gardens across the United States.
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