Colpias is a monotypic genus of flowering plant in the family Scrophulariaceae. It has only one currently accepted species, Colpias mollis, native to South Africa.[3] It secretes oils to attract specialised oil-collecting bees from the genus Rediviva.[4] It is also known by the name klipblom, meaning stone plant in Afrikaans.[5]
| Colpias | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae |
| Tribe: | Hemimerideae |
| Genus: | Colpias E.Mey. ex Benth.[2] |
| Species: | C. mollis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Colpias mollis | |
Description
editColpias mollis is a many-branched shrublet, with brittle branches, growing up to 200 mm high. The leaves and branches of Colpias mollis are covered with soft hairs. During spring the small plants produce showy clusters of white or yellow flowers with a sweet or clove-like scent.[5] It is confined to rock crevices, mostly in granite.[6][5]
Distribution
editColpias mollis is endemic to the Northern Cape. It is found from the Richtersveld to near Kamieskroon, Namaqualand and the Bokkeveld Mountains.[6]
Conservation status
editColpias mollis is classified as Least Concern as it is widespread and not in decline.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "SANBI Red List of South African Plants". South African National Biodiversity Institute Threatened Species Programme. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
- ^ a b Compan. Bot. Mag. 2: 53 (1836)
- ^ "Colpias E.Mey. ex Benth". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
- ^ Buchmann, Stephen L. (1987). "The Ecology of Oil Flowers and their Bees". Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 18: 343–369. doi:10.1146/annurev.es.18.110187.002015. JSTOR 2097136.
- ^ a b c "Colpias mollis | PlantZAfrica". pza.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
- ^ a b "Colpias mollis E.Mey. ex Benth". www.worldfloraonline.org. Retrieved 2022-04-15.