Syncarpha speciosissima
Syncarpha speciosissima, the Cape everlasting or Cape sewejaartjie, is a species of plant from South Africa.
| Syncarpha speciosissima | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dry flowers of the Cape everlasting | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Syncarpha |
| Species: | S. speciosissima |
| Binomial name | |
| Syncarpha speciosissima (L.) B.Nord. | |
| Subspecies | |
| |
| Synonyms[1] [2] | |
| |
Description
Syncarpha speciosissima is a shrublet with erect stems that grows to be 20–60 cm (7.9–23.6 in) tall. It is covered in white wooly hairs and produces new shoots every year.[3] The light grey-green leaves are held close to the base of the stem and are oblong or linear in shape.[3][4]
Disc-shaped flower heads are borne on the ends of long stems between July and January. They have a diameter of 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in).[5] The center starts off yellow, turning brown with age.[3] The flower is surrounded by sharply pointed petal-like bracts.[4] They have a papery texture and are white or cream in colour.[5]
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.[5] It prefers the upper slopes of mountains and grows in open areas between bushes.[4]
References
- "Syncarpha speciosissima subsp. angustifolia". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- "Syncarpha speciosissima subsp. speciosissima". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- 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
- Clarke, Hugh G.; Merry, Corinne (2019). Wild flowers of the Cape Peninsula (3rd ed.). Cape Town: Struik Nature. ISBN 978-1-77584-640-6. OCLC 1124073483.
- 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.