Protea simplex
Protea simplex, the dwarf grassveld sugarbush, is a flower-bearing shrub belonging to the genus Protea. It is native to South Africa.
| Protea simplex | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Protea |
| Species: | P. simplex |
| Binomial name | |
| Protea simplex E.Phillips | |
In Afrikaans, it is known as slanksuikerbos.
Description
The plant is small, flattened, and grows 16 cm (6.3 in) in diameter. It flowers from December to March. The plant sprouts again after it has burned. The seeds are stored in a shell, released after 9-12 months and spread by the wind. The plant is unisexual. Pollination takes place through the action of birds.
Distribution and habitat
The plant occurs on the escarpment of the Drakensberg from Mariepskop through Mpumalanga and Eswatini to Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal. The plant grows rotas-like, open grasslands in acid soil at altitudes of 1,300–2,150 m (4,270–7,050 ft).
References
- Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Protea simplex. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T113221187A185540113. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113221187A185540113.en. Downloaded on 10 August 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.