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Sandveld Spiderhead Kinkelspinnekopbos - Serruria decipiens
The Spiderheads are a fascinating genus of little known proteas. All have divided leaves and smaller flowerheads. The Sandveld Spiderhead can be identified by its small flowers which have a distinct kink (function unknown), which are grouped together in bunches into much bigger flowerheads. The size of the flowerhead seems to depend on the rain: Flowerheads may contain only a few bunches of flowers (dry years and dry sites), or they can consist of huge sprays. To the novice, these may look like totally different species. The Sandveld Spiderhead flowers from August to December, but then defies all logic by growing new leaves from December to May - all respectable plants are dormant during the hot dry summer months. But presumably, Spiderheads have their roots deep down to the underground water sources. Here they compete with mankind. These underground aquifers are being used by farmers and citizens of Cape Town for irrigation and drinking. If too much water is tapped out of the aquifers our plants may die! We need to carefully manage our resources - even those we cannot see - if we are to live harmoniously with nature in the Sandveld.