Geissorhiza aspera

Geissorhiza aspera, also known as the blue satin flower or blou sysie, is a geophyte from South Africa.

Geissorhiza aspera
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Geissorhiza
Species:
G. aspera
Binomial name
Geissorhiza aspera
Goldblatt
Synonyms[1]
  • Geissorhiza secunda Ker Gawl.
  • Geissorhiza secunda KerGawl.
  • Gladiolus junceus Burm.f.

Description

This velvety-stemmed geophyte grows 10–35 cm (3.9–13.8 in) tall.[2] Plants may, however, be larger or smaller than the typical range. Both the soil conditions and moisture play a role in height.[3] Each plant may branch up to three times, although branching is not always present.[3] The corm is covered in woody tunics.[2] The sword-shaped leaves have thickened margins and midribs. Normally plants will have three leaves, each of which is about the same length as the stem or slightly longer.[3]

Star-shaped flowers are present in August and September.[2][4] It flowers best after a wet winter. Each inflorescence has between three and seven flowers. They are usually dark blue or violet in colour, sometimes with a darker center.[4] The northern populations (Olifants River Valley, Gifberg and near Bitterfontein) are often white.[5][6] These flowers may still be blue on the outsides of the tepals.[6] The filaments are usually not all the same length, particularly in northern populations.[3] The green floral bracts dry and turn a rusty brown at the tips as the flowers open.[3] Plants typically seed in October.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to South Africa. This species was believed to be limited to the Western Cape until 2012, when a population in Namaqualand in the Northern Cape.[6] It is found growing between Gifberg and Agulhas, where it is most common on moist sandy soils at altitudes of 70–100 m (230–330 ft).[2][4]

Ecology

The flowers are most commonly pollinated by money beetles, which are attracted the darker area at the center of the flower.[4] It is also known to be pollinated by the Cape honey bee, a Braunsapsis species, Anisonyx ursus, a bombyllidae species and Anthophora diversipes.[5]

Conservation

This species is classified as being of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) as it is common and widespread.[7] It is also able to tolerate disturbance and is common in disturbed habitats, such as roadsides and parks.[7]

References
  1. "Geissorhiza aspera". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  2. Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2012). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 1: the core Cape flora (PDF). Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI. ISBN 978-1-919976-74-7. OCLC 852384288.
  3. e-Flora of South Africa. v1.42. 2023. South African National Biodiversity Institute. http://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=flora_descriptions&v=1.42
  4. Cowell, Carly (October 2006). "Geissorhiza aspera". PlantAfrica. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  5. Bothalia, African Biodiversity & Conservation. South African National Biodiversity Institute.
  6. Goldblatt, P.; Manning, J. C. (2016-09-01). "Review of species limits in Geissorhiza leipoldtii (Iridaceae: Crocoideae) and G. heterostyla with the recognition of new taxa plus important new records in the genus". South African Journal of Botany. 106: 29–34. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.05.006. ISSN 0254-6299.
  7. Raimondo, D. (2013). "Geissorhiza aspera Goldblatt National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1". SANBI Red List of South African Plants. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
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