Paranomus candicans, the powder sceptre, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus Paranomus and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa.
| Paranomus candicans | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Paranomus |
| Species: | P. candicans
|
| Binomial name | |
| Paranomus candicans (Thunb.) Kuntze
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Description edit
The shrub grows up to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall and flowers mainly from June to November. Fire destroys the plant but the seeds survive. The plant is bisexual and pollinated by insects. The fruit ripens, two months after flowering, and the seeds fall to the ground where they are spread by ants.
In Afrikaans, it is known as poeiersepter.
Distribution and habitat edit
The plant occurs in the Hex River Mountains up to the Langeberg. The plant grows in sandstone soil at altitudes of 600–2,000 m (2,000–6,600 ft).
References edit
- ^ Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (2020). "Paranomus candicans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020. IUCN: e.T113201154A157956336. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113201154A157956336.en.
- ^ "Paranomus candicans". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
External links edit
- "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- "Paranomus candicans (Powder sceptre)". biodiversityexplorer.info. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- "Common Sceptres". proteaatlas.org.za. Retrieved 6 January 2022.