The otterbush (Gomphostigma virgatum/Common Otterbush/ Besembossie/ hlare-sa-noko) is always a welcome sight next to the river, streams and wetlands in and around Parys. They proved to be excellent to adapting to the ever changing landscape brought on by human encroachment, pollution and introductions of invasive species that plagues our riprarian ecosystems.

The masses of small white flowers dangles over streams from silvery bushes attracting all manner of birds and pollinators with thick billed weavers picking the soft foilage to build their delicately constructed nests.

These indigenous shrubs thrive next to water where they readily cling on in obscene places among the banks and rock formations enduring flash floods, cold, fires, grazing animals and everything nature can throw at them. They seem to tolerate water pollution just fine unless it is still standing stagnant water.

Otter bush makes an excellent addition to water gardens and ponds where it readily makes semi-hardwood cuttings as the branches grow into the water. It has been traditionally used for fatigue and to make brooms with as well. They don’t mind to get pruned back and it encourages bushier growth.

Strangely they haven’t been noted yet in the wetland in the center of the town where they can be invaluable in areas where streams may cause further erosion while providing more habitats and shelter for native species.