Tetragonia fruticosa

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Tetragonia fruticosa
Tetragonia fruticosa 1DS-II 2-1841.jpg
Tetragonia fruticosa00a.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Tetragonia
Species:
T. fruticosa
Binomial name
Tetragonia fruticosa
L., 1753
Synonyms
  • Tetragonia linearis Haw.

Tetragonia fruticosa, or kinkelbossie, is an endemic Southern African coastal perennial shrub or scrambler, well-suited to dune sand stabilisation and often browsed by livestock and game. It is found from sea-level to about 1100 metres. [1]

The fruits are unusual for Aizoaceae being four-winged, single-seeded and indehiscent. The wings are green and succulent at first, drying and becoming papery and brown, aiding in dispersal of the seed by wind. [2] The flowers are a rich source of pollen and nectar for honeybees. [3]

References

  1. "BRAHMS Online Websites - BRAHMS Online". Posi.sanbi.org.
  2. "Tetragonia fruticosa flowers". Operationwildflower.org.za. Archived from the original on 2018-09-16. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  3. "Indigenous South African Plants that Provide Food for Honey Bees" (PDF). Sanbi.org. Retrieved 14 March 2022.