Paranomus reflexus, the Van Staden's scepter, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus Paranomus and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Eastern Cape where it occurs on the Elandsberg and Van Stadensberg.

Paranomus reflexus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Paranomus
Species:
P. reflexus
Binomial name
Paranomus reflexus
(E.Phillips & Hutch.) Fourc.

The shrub grows up to 1.5 m tall and flowers from June to August. Fire destroys the plant but the seeds survive. The plant is bisexual and pollination takes place through the action of insects. The fruit ripens two months after the plant has flowered and the seeds fall to the ground where they are spread by ants. The plant grows in sandstone soil at altitudes of 1000–2000 m.

In Afrikaans it is known as Van Staden-septerboom. The tree's national number is 72.4[2]

References

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  1. ^ Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (2020). "Paranomus reflexus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T113201555A185570406. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113201555A185570406.en. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  2. ^ "National List of Indigenous Trees in South Africa". treetags.co.za. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
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