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Stalked Spiderheads - Serrurias


Wavy Spiderhead - Serruria confragosa

Wavy Spiderhead - Photo: Nigel Forshaw Habit: An erect, sparely branched shrub 1m tall
Fire survival: Killed, only seeds survive
Sexual system: Both sexes in each flower
Flowers: September - November
Pollinator: Insects
Fruit: Released 2 months after flowering
Seed dispersal: Ants
Seed storage: Underground in ants nests
Rarity status: Rare.
Habitat: Dry, sandstone soils, 1000-1250m
Distribution: Koue Bokkeveld and Groot Winterhoek Mountains

Long-stalked Spiderhead - Serruria elongata

Long-stalked Spiderhead - Photo: Lynnette Lotz Habit: A slender shrub 1.5m tall
Fire survival: Killed, only seeds survive
Sexual system: Both sexes in each flower
Flowers: July - October
Pollinator: Insects
Fruit: Released 2 months after flowering
Seed dispersal: Ants
Seed storage: Underground in ants nests
Rarity status: Not threatened, often locally abundant
Habitat: Sandstone sands on flats and slopes, 150-800m
Distribution: Du Toit's Kloof and Riviersonderend to Bredasdorp Mountains and Elim Flats

Matzikamma Spiderhead - Serruria lacunosa

Matzikamma Spiderhead - Photo: Colin Paterson-Jones Habit: A slender shrub 1.5m tall
Fire survival: Killed, only seeds survive
Sexual system: Both sexes in each flower
Flowers: September - April
Pollinator: Insects
Fruit: Released 2 months after flowering
Seed dispersal: Ants
Seed storage: Underground in ants nests
Rarity status: Rare.
Habitat: Sandstone soils, 700-800m
Distribution: Gifberg Mountains
Note: This species was discovered by the Protea Atlas Project. The photograph was taken by Colin Paterson-Jones

Dainty Spiderhead - Serruria meisneriana

Dainty Spiderhead - Photo: Nigel Forshaw Habit: A slender shrub 0.5m tall
Fire survival: Killed, only seeds survive
Sexual system: Both sexes in each flower
Flowers: July - October
Pollinator: Insects
Fruit: Released 2 months after flowering
Seed dispersal: Ants
Seed storage: Underground in ants nests
Rarity status: Rare. About 5000 plants at two localities.
Habitat: Shale soils, 450-650m
Distribution: North east Babylonstoring and Groenland Mountains

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