Osteospermum burttianum
Osteospermum burttianum is a species of plant from South Africa. DescriptionGrowthformThis shrublet is densely leafy and hairless. It grows up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall.[1] LeavesThe 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] FlowersFlowers 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 seedsThis 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 habitatThis 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] EtymologyThis species is named after B.L. (Bill) Burtt in honour of his contributions to the knowledge of South African phytogeography and the family Asteraceae.[2] ConservationWhile 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
|