Syncarpha speciosissima explained

Syncarpha speciosissima, the Cape everlasting or Cape sewejaartjie, is a species of plant from South Africa.

Description

Syncarpha speciosissima is a shrublet with erect stems that grows to be NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches) tall. It is covered in white wooly hairs and produces new shoots every year.[1] The light grey-green leaves are held close to the base of the stem and are oblong or linear in shape.[2]

Disc-shaped flower heads are borne on the ends of long stems between July and January. They have a diameter of NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches).[3] The center starts off yellow, turning brown with age. The flower is surrounded by sharply pointed petal-like bracts. They have a papery texture and are white or cream in colour.

Distribution and habitat

This species in endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa, where it grows on sandstone slopes between the Cape Peninsula and Tradouws Pass. It prefers the upper slopes of mountains and grows in open areas between bushes.

Notes and References

  1. 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
  2. Book: Clarke, Hugh G. . Wild flowers of the Cape Peninsula . Merry . Corinne . 2019 . Struik Nature . 978-1-77584-640-6 . 3rd . Cape Town . 1124073483.
  3. Book: Manning . John . Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 1: the core Cape flora . Goldblatt . Peter . 2012 . South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI . 978-1-919976-74-7 . Pretoria . 852384288.