Ceratocaryum Explained

Ceratocaryum is a group of plants in the Restionaceae described as a genus in 1836.^{[1] [2]} The entire genus is endemic to Cape Province in South Africa.^[3]

Two species in this genus, Ceratocaryum argenteum and Ceratocaryum pulchrum, have an unusual seed dispersal method. Its berries mimic the appearance and smell of antelope droppings. This tricks dung beetles into gathering and burying them.^{[4] [5] [6]}

Species^[3]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tropicos Name - Ceratocaryum Nees. www.tropicos.org. 2017-07-23.
2. Nees von Esenbeck, Christian Gottfried Daniel. 1836. Natural System of Botany 451.
3. Web site: World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. apps.kew.org. en-GB. 2017-07-23.
4. Midgley, J. J., White, J. D. M., Scholtz, C. H., & Johnson, S. D. (2021). "Seed dispersal by dung beetles in Ceratocaryum pulchrum (Restionaceae): Another example of faecal mimicry in plants." South African Journal of Botany, 137, 365-368.
5. How to Dupe a Dung Beetle. The New Yorker. 5 October 2015. 2017-07-23.
6. Midgley. Jeremy J.. White. Joseph D. M.. Johnson. Steven D.. Bronner. Gary N.. 2015-10-05. Faecal mimicry by seeds ensures dispersal by dung beetles. Nature Plants. en. 1. 10. 15141. 10.1038/nplants.2015.141. 27251393. 20722232. 2055-0278.