Biology:Helichrysum sphaeroideum

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Short description: South African plant species

Helichrysum sphaeroideum
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Helichrysum
Species:
H. sphaeroideum
Binomial name
Helichrysum sphaeroideum
Moeser (1910)

Helichrysum sphaeroideum is a species of flowering plant in family Asteraceae. It is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa .[1]

Description

This straggling subshrub grow to be up to 60 cm (24 in) tall. Slender branches grow from the base and often tangle together.[2] They are covered with thin, white felt-like hairs.[3] The leaves are oval or elongated ovals. They are white felted beneath and hairless above.[2]

Flowers are most common in December and January, but may be present between September and February.[2][3] The flower heads are disc shaped with few to many growing in dense terminal clusters. The inner bracts spread above the white flowers. The tips of the petals way be tinged reddish or pink. [2] Each flower has eight to thirty florets. The ovaries are hairy.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species grows on the Cape mountains of South Africa .[3] It ranges from Tulbagh and Paarl to Groot Swartberg, north of Calitzdorp.[4] It prefers damp sandstone slopes, usually growing in more sheltered areas such as gullies and ravines.[2]

Conservation

This species is considered to be of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.[4]

References

  1. Helichrysum sphaeroideum Moeser. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 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
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2012). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 1: the core Cape flora. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI. ISBN 978-1-919976-74-7. OCLC 852384288. https://www.sanbi.org/sites/default/files/documents/documents/strelitzia-29-2012.pdf. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 Foden, W. & Potter, L. 2009. Helichrysum sphaeroideum Moeser. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 10 February 2023

Wikidata ☰ Q15584941 entry