Diosma haelkraalensis, or Hagelkraal's diosma, is a rare species of plant endemic to the southwestern Cape Provinces of South Africa.[1]
| Diosma haelkraalensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Diosma |
| Species: | D. haelkraalensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Diosma haelkraalensis I.Williams
| |
Description
editThese shrubs grow 10–30 cm (0.33–0.98 ft) tall.[2][3] The tough branches have rough bark and are bent at all angles. The branchlets are densely covered in small, hairless leaves which are oppositely arranged. They have glands towards the midrib and margins. The slightly transparent margins curve back the center of the leaf.[3] Small white flowers are present between April and September.[2] They occur singly or in pairs at the ends of branches.[3]
Distribution
editHagelkraal's diosma grows in crevices in the limestone of the Bredasdorp geological formation. It only occurs on an approximately 2.5 km (1.6 mi) stretch of the mountain range between Pearly Beach and Hagelkraal.[3]
Ecology
editFlowers are pollinated by insects. The seeds are dispersed by ants, which take them underground.[4]
Chemical compounds
editThe leaves of Hagelkraal's diosma has been described as having the same scent as true buchus. Chemical analysis has shown that the leaves contain the same sulphurous chemical (8-mercaptop-methan-3-one) that produces this scent in Agathosoma species. This is the first time that this compound has been found in a different genus.[5] This compound is in high demand from the flavour and fragrance industries which use small quantities to enhance flavours and fragrances.[5] Hagelkraal's diosma was found to have higher concentrations of the compound than Agathosma crenulata and Agathosma betulina - the buchu species which are currently used for commercial production, although the overall yield was lower.[5] while it is not currently used, this plant could be cultivated and utilised by the fragrance and flavour industries.[5]
Conservation
editThis species is considered to be critically rare.[6]
References
edit- ^ Diosma haelkraalensis I.Williams. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ a b Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2012). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 1: the core Cape flora (PDF). Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI. ISBN 978-1-919976-74-7. OCLC 852384288.
- ^ a b c d e-Flora of South Africa. v1.36. 2022. South African National Biodiversity Institute. http://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=flora_descriptions&v=1.36
- ^ Willis, Christopher K.; Cowling, Richard M.; Lombard, Amanda T. (1996). "Patterns of endemism in the limestone flora of South African lowland fynbos". Biodiversity and Conservation. 5 (1): 55–73. doi:10.1007/BF00056292. ISSN 0960-3115. S2CID 30671239.
- ^ a b c d Heydenrych, Barry (1994). "Buchu oil from Hagelkraal's Diosma". Veld and Flora. 80 (2): 58–59.
- ^ Hall, A. V.; Veldhuis, H. A. (1985). "South African Red Data Book: Plants - fynbos and Karoo biomes".
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