Nolletia gariepina
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| 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] | |
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Nolletia gariepina, the desert beesbossie, is a species of plant from southern Africa.
This 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 modified 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
This 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]