Hebenstretia kamiesbergensis explained

Hebenstretia kamiesbergensis, the Kamiesberg slugwort, is a species of plant from the Kamiesberg Mountains in South Africa. It belongs to the figwort family.

Description

This branched shrub grows NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches) tall. The linear leaves may curve inwards or outwards and have many teeth. Flowers are present in spikes between September and December. The spikes may be densely flowered or be long. The flowers are white with yellow spots and hairy calyx. The fruit is a rounded oblong that is swollen on one side. The upper mericarp is shield shaped.^[1]

Distribution and habitat

This plant is endemic to the Kamiesberg Mountains in the Northern Cape of South Africa.^[2] It grows on the upper slopes.^[3]

Etymology

This species is named after the mountains in which it grows.

References

1. Book: Snijman, D.A. . Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Regionn, Vol. 2: the Extra Cape flora . South African National Biodiversity Institute . John Manning, Peter Goldblatt . 2013 . 978-1-919976-74-7 . Strelitzia . Pretoria . Pretoria . 866860203.
2. Helme, N. and Desmet, P.G. (2006) A Description of the Endemic Flora and Vegetation of the Kamiesberg Uplands, Namaqualand, South Africa. Report for CEPF/SKEP.
3. e-Flora of South Africa. v1.36. 2022. South African National Biodiversity Institute. http://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=flora_descriptions&v=1.36