Serruria viridifolia, the mat spiderhead, is a flowering shrub that belongs to the genus Serruria and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is endemic to the Western Cape, is rare and occurs in the Riviersonderendberge from Jonaskop to Wolfieskop. The shrub tends to form a mat, grows 1.0 cm tall and flowers from July to November.

Serruria viridifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Serruria
Species:
S. viridifolia
Binomial name
Serruria viridifolia
Rourke

A fire destroys the plant but the seeds survive. Two months after flowering, the fruit falls and ants disperse the seeds. They store the seeds in their nests. The plant is unisexual and pollination takes place through the action of insects. The plant grows in sand on sandstone slopes at elevations of 800 - 1,100 m.

References

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  1. ^ Rebelo, A.G.; Mtshali, H.; von Staden, L. (2020). "Serruria viridifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T113239621A185554681. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113239621A185554681.en. Retrieved 18 August 2023.

Sources

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