Osteospermum burttianum

Osteospermum burttianum is a species of plant from South Africa.

Osteospermum burttianum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Osteospermum
Species:
O. burttianum
Binomial name
Osteospermum burttianum
B.Nord.

Description

Growthform

This shrublet is densely leafy and hairless. It grows up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall.[1]

Leaves

The hairless leaves are attached directly to the stems and are alternately arranged. They have a distinct midrib and the margins are either finely toothed or rough with small, brownish hairs.[2] They have a leathery texture.[3]

Flowers

Flowers are most common between December and May.[3] Flowers may, however, be present until August. They are yellow in colour.[1] They grow in solitary capitula and are heterogamous. They grow on stalks that are 3–10 cm (1.2–3.9 in) long with 1-3 bract-like leaves.[2]

The involucre has a diameter of 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) and is made of 8-13 narrow bracts. They have short. dark-tipped glandular hairs and net-like veination.[2]

The ray florets are female. There are 8-11 of them per flowerhead. The tube lobes are somewhat oval shaped and crested at the tips. They lack a midvein. The ovary is a narrow hairless and two-veined oblong.[2] In the male florets, the stamen are 2 mm (0.079 in) long. The style is sterile and tipped with a cone surrounded by a fringe of short hairs.[2]

Fruit and seeds

This plant produces obscurely ribbed achenes (dry fruit containing a single seed)[1] They are 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to the Langeberg Mountains in the Western Cape of South Africa. It has a range of less than 500 km2 (190 sq mi), in which two populations occur.[1][4] It prefers steep rocky sandstone slopes.[3] It is found on south facing slopes at an altitude of over 1,000 m (3,300 ft).[2]

Etymology

This species is named after B.L. (Bill) Burtt in honour of his contributions to the knowledge of South African phytogeography and the Asteraceae family.[2]

Conservation

While Osteospermum burttianum does not currently experience any threats, its small range means that it is currently classified as rare by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.[4]

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. Nordenstam, B. (2004). "TWO NEW SPECIES OF OSTEOSPERMUM (COMPOSITAE–CALENDULEAE) FROM SOUTHWESTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA". Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 60 (3): 259–265. doi:10.1017/s0960428603000234. S2CID 86462223.
  3. Goldblatt, P.; Manning, J. C.; Snijman, D. (2005-08-29). "Cape plants: corrections and additions to the flora. 1". Bothalia. 35 (1): 35–46. doi:10.4102/abc.v35i1.367. ISSN 2311-9284.
  4. Kamundi, D.A. & Raimondo, D. 2008. Osteospermum burttianum B.Nord. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 24 February 2023
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