Nolletia gariepina, the desert beesbossie, is a species of plant from southern Africa.
| Nolletia gariepina | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Nolletia |
| Species: | N. gariepina
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nolletia gariepina (DC.) Mattf.
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
editThis shrub grows up to 60 cm (2.0 ft) tall.[2] The older branches are often reddish while the younger branches are yellow.[3][4] The plant is densely covered with spreading hairs, interspersed with loosely arranged glands.[3] The leaves have a loose alternate arrangement and range from linear to oblong in shape.[2]
Flowers are present between August and November.[2] They may, however, be present year-round and are also common between March and May.[4] The yellow disc shaped flower heads are solitarily arranged on the ends of branches. The disc (outer) florets are sometimes purplish in the upper part.[3] The pappus (a modofied calyx) is made of barbed bristles.[2] The hairy stems holding the flowers are surrounded by three to four rows of green bracts. They are sometimes tinged purple and often have yellow or orange air sacs along the midline.[3]
The seeds are brown with a thickened whitish margin. They are egg shaped and laterally flattened.[3]
Distribution and habitat
editThis species is found growing between central Namibia and the Northern Cape of South Africa.[3][5] It grows on rocky and sandy uplands and is most commonly found growing amongst granite boulders.[3][4]
Conservation
editThis species is considered to be of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. It is widespread and the population is stable.[5]
Toxicity
editThis plant contains a water-soluble nephrotoxin (toxin which impacts the kidneys) which has been found to impact cattle.[4] The first outbreaks were observed in the Kalahari in South Africa.[6] Symptoms vary depending on the length of the toxological process but include weakness, malaise, swelling in the perineum, lower chest and abdomen due to fluid buildup and renal cortical pallor.[4] A study showed that cattle are only impacted by ingesting this plant (a dose of 3 gr (0.00043 lb) dry mass per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of animal) if they have not eaten during the previous 24 hours and therefore have an empty rumen.[6]
The toxological impact of this species has also been examined in sheep. Sheep dosed with a 1.5 gr (0.00021 lb) dry mass per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of animal showed no response to the plant while most of those fed 2.8–3 gr (0.00040–0.00043 lb) dry mass per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of animal died.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Nolletia gariepina". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d Snijman, D.A. (2013). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Regionn, Vol. 2: the Extra Cape flora (PDF). Strelitzia. John Manning, Peter Goldblatt. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute. ISBN 978-1-919976-74-7. OCLC 866860203.
- ^ a b c d e f g 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
- ^ a b c d e Botha, C. J. (Christoffel Jacobus); Venter, Elna (2002). "Nolletia gariepina". Original Format: University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science. hdl:2263/9447.
- ^ a b von Staden, L. (2015). "Nolletia gariepina (DC.) Mattf. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1". SANBI Red List of South African Plants. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ a b Plessis, Du (2006-03-08). Pathological investigation of the nephrotoxic effects of the shrub Nolletia gariepina (DC) Mattf. in cattle (Dissertation thesis). University of Pretoria. hdl:2263/23005.
- ^ Meintjes, R. A.; Botha, C. J.; Prozesky, L. (2005). "Toxicity, pathophysiology and pathology in sheep following dosing of the nephrotoxic plant Nolletia gariepina (DC) Mattf". The Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research. 72 (1): 39–53. doi:10.4102/ojvr.v72i1.222. ISSN 0030-2465. PMID 15991704.