No information is available on the phenological phases between and within genotypes of Cyclopia (honeybush). This information is important to understand the timing of plant development and growth, species co-existence, and growth dynamics of the genus. The study spanning 2 years determined the monthly genotypic variation, the time of the start of a growth phase, and duration of budding, flowering, fruiting, and seed dispersal in C. subternata and C. genistoides. The results indicated differences in phenology between and within species and that initiation period among individuals of a phenological phase is inversely proportional to that duration of that phenophase. Budding, flowering, fruiting, and seed dispersal peaked in the months of July, September, October, and December, respectively. Compared to C. genistoides, C. subternata genotypes had a shorter time (days) from start of observation to start of flowering (25.9 versus 51.2), fruiting (46.1 versus 61.5), and seed dispersal (96.3 versus 110.0). However, the duration (days) of flowering (13.2 versus 24.3), fruiting (45.6 versus 52.2), and seed dispersal (4.3 versus 8.9) was shorter in C. genistoides. Using observational qualitative analysis, phenology of these Cyclopia species was categorised into three groups; early, intermediate, and late. The findings serve as a platform for investigating factors affecting the reproductive phases, morphology, and physiology in these and other Cyclopia species. It will assist farmers and researches to time crop requirements and management practices, thus having practical implications in the cultivation of the species.

Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) is a rich source of antioxidant properties and phenolic compounds. Water availability plays a crucial role in plant metabolic processes, and it contributes to overall quality. Thus, this study aimed to investigate changes in molecular functions, cellular components, and biological processes of Cyclopia subternata exposed to different water stress conditions, which include well-watered (as Control, T1), semi-water stressed (T2), and water-deprived (T3) potted plants. Samples were also collected from a well-watered commercial farm first cultivated in 2013 (T13) and then cultivated in 2017 (T17) and 2019 (T19). Differentially expressed proteins extracted from C. subternata leaves were identified using LC-MS/MS spectrometry. A total of 11 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified using Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.00100). Only α-glucan phosphorylase was found to be statistically common between T17 and T19 (p < 0.00100). Notably, α-glucan phosphorylase was upregulated in the older vegetation (T17) and downregulated in T19 by 1.41-fold. This result suggests that α-glucan phosphorylase was needed in T17 to support the metabolic pathway. In T19, five DEPs were upregulated, while the other six were downregulated. Based on gene ontology, the DEPs in the stressed plant were associated with cellular and metabolic processes, response to stimulus, binding, catalytic activity, and cellular anatomical entity. Differentially expressed proteins were clustered based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and sequences were linked to metabolic pathways via enzyme code and KEGG ortholog. Most proteins were involved in photosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, thiamine, and purine metabolism. This study revealed the presence of trans-cinnamate 4-monooxygenase, an intermediate for the biosynthesis of a large number of substances, such as phenylpropanoids and flavonoids.