Ceratocaryum argenteum

Ceratocaryum argenteum, commonly known as silver arrowreed, is a species of plant in the Restionaceae family and is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa.[1]

Silver arrowreed
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Restionaceae
Genus: Ceratocaryum
Species:
C. argenteum
Binomial name
Ceratocaryum argenteum
Nees ex Kunth
Distribution of Ceratocaryum argenteum
Synonyms[1]
  • Ceratocaryum speciosum Nees ex Mast.
  • Restio argenteus Nees

Description

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The caespitose plants are 2–3 metres (79–118 in) tall and grow in coastal sands at elevations of 50–200 metres (160–660 ft) above sea level. They flower throughout April and May. The plants release their tuberculate nut fruits in January.[2][3]

Ecology

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Ceratocaryum argenteum has an unusual seed dispersal strategy. It employs chemical compounds to deceive dung beetles, which treat the seeds as if they were true animal fecal matter. The beetles bury the seeds.[4] This strategy of faecal mimicry is shared with another species, namely Ceratocaryum pulchrum.[2] The seeds are not consumed or gathered by rodents.[5] Their strategy of adaption to wildfires is to re-grow from seeds after such fires occur.[3]

Distribution

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This species is native to the southwestern Cape Provinces of South Africa, from Albertinia to Paarl.[1]

Taxonomy

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It is the sister species of Ceratocaryum pulchrum.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ceratocaryum argenteum Nees ex Kunth". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Midgley, J. J., White, J. D. M., Scholtz, C. H., & Johnson, S. D. (2021). "Seed dispersal by dung beetles in Ceratocaryum pulchrum (Restionaceae): Another example of faecal mimicry in plants." South African Journal of Botany, 137, 365-368.
  3. ^ a b Linder, H. P. (2001). "Two new species of Ceratocaryum (Restionaceae)." Kew Bulletin, 465-477.
  4. ^ Midgley, J. J., White, J. D., Johnson, S. D., & Bronner, G. N. (2015). "Faecal mimicry by seeds ensures dispersal by dung beetles." Nature Plants, 1(10), 1-3.
  5. ^ Midgley, J. J., White, J. D., & Bronner, G. N. (2017). "Camera-trapping and seed-labelling reveals widespread granivory and scatter-hoarding of nuts by rodents in the Fynbos Biome." African Zoology, 52(1), 31-41.