Virgilia (genus)
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 Virgilia divaricata
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Virgilia divaricata |
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| Ref: ILDIS Version 6.05 |
Virgilia is a genus of Southern African trees in the family Fabaceae, having shiny to hairy pinnate leaves and attractive mauve to pink pea-shaped flowers followed by leathery pods. They are valued as useful ornamental trees by gardeners, particularly the well-known species Virgilia divaricata ('Tree in a Hurry', 'Cape Lilac', 'Blossom Tree') and Virgilia capensis syn. V.oroboides ('Pink Blossom Tree'), despite having a comparatively short life (15 years). They prefer well drained soils; some species will then grow 2 m in the first season. They will tolerate wind and have dense foliage growing close to the ground, so they are useful as pioneer species for privacy and wind protection. The common name in South Africa (in Afrikaans) is keurboom, meaning 'choice tree'. Most botanists feel that the various species are simply forms and should be lumped under one taxon.
Virgilia is the larval food plant of the moth Leto venus.
