Osteospermum burttianum

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Osteospermum burttianum
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
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.

Osteospermum burttianum is a species of plant from South Africa.

Contents

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]

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 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