Serruria cyanoides explained

Serruria cyanoides, the Wynberg spiderhead, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus Serruria and forms part of the fynbos.[1]

Background

The plant is native to the Western Cape, it has always been found on the Cape Flats and Cape Peninsula but currently there are only two populations at Fish Hoek and the Karbonkelberg at Hout Bay.[2] The shrub is erect and grows only 50 cm tall and bears flowers from July to October.

Fire destroys the plant but the seeds survive. Two months after flowering, the fruit falls off and ants disperse the seeds. They store the seeds in their nests. The plant is unisexual. Pollination takes place through the action of insects.[3] The plant grows in sandy soil at altitudes of 0–150 m.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Threatened Species Programme SANBI Red List of South African Plants. 2022-01-19. redlist.sanbi.org.
  2. Web site: Serruria cyanoides (Wynberg spiderhead). 2022-01-19. biodiversityexplorer.info.
  3. Web site: Skirted Spiderheads. 2022-01-19. www.proteaatlas.org.za.
  4. Web site: Serruria cyanoides PlantZAfrica. 2022-01-19. pza.sanbi.org.