Serruria triternata, the Tulbagh spiderbush, is a flowering shrub that belongs to the genus Serruria and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is endemic to the Western Cape and only occurs in the Elandskloof Mountains near Tulbagh. The shrub is upright and reaches 1.0 m in height and flowers in September.

Serruria triternata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Serruria
Species:
S. triternata
Binomial name
Serruria triternata
(Thunb.) R.Br., (1810)

Fire destroys the plant but the seeds survive. Two months after flowering, the fruit falls and ants disperse the seeds. They store the seeds in their nests. The plant is unisexual. Pollination takes place through the action of beetles, butterflies and moths. The plant grows on slopes at elevations of 400 – 950 m.

References edit

  1. ^ Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; Raimondo, D. (2020). "Serruria triternata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T113239515A185557611. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113239515A185557611.en. Retrieved 16 July 2023.

Sources edit