Oedera calycina explained

Oedera calycina is a shrublet belonging to the daisy family (Compositae or Asteraceae). It is found in rocky Fynbos and Renosterveld vegetation, growing in rocky, loamy or sandy soil, in the Western Cape Province and Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Description

Oedera calycina is a sparsely branched shrub that reaches a height of 1 meter, with distinctively hairy leaves, and brown papery bracts. It is a widespread and variable species though, and includes several subspecies:^{[1] [2]}

Subspecies

• Subspecies calycina (lower rocky shale slopes) has leaves that are straighter, more slender, and narrowly elliptic.
• Subspecies apiculata (higher altitude mountain slopes) has glabrous (or rarely faintly haired) leaves.^[3]
• Subspecies lanceolata (low clay-calcareous soils in the Eastern Cape) has lanceolate leaves that are slightly downcurved.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Factsheet -Relhania calycina subsp. calycina. keyserver.lucidcentral.org. 27 January 2020.
2. Web site: Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants.
3. Web site: Factsheet -Relhania calycina subsp. apiculata. keyserver.lucidcentral.org. 27 January 2020.
4. Web site: Factsheet -Relhania calycina subsp. lanceolata. keyserver.lucidcentral.org. 27 January 2020.