Heliophila pusilla | |
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Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Brassicales |
Family: | Brassicaceae |
Genus: | Heliophila |
Species: | H. pusilla
|
Binomial name | |
Heliophila pusilla | |
Synonyms [1] | |
Ormiscus pusillus (L.f.) Eckl. & Zeyh. (1835) |
Heliophila pusilla, the dainty sunspurge, is a species of plant in family Brassicaceae. It is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. [1]
This slender annual grows up to 30 cm (12 in) tall. [2] The hairless stems are soft and wiry or flaccid. [3] The leaves are thread-like or lance shaped, with the widest portion near the tip. [2] They are 5–35 mm (0.20–1.38 in) long and 3–15 mm (0.12–0.59 in) wide. [3]
Flowers are present between August and October, forming dense racemes. [2] [3] They range from white to mauve in colour. [2] The petals, which range from 2 to 6 mm (0.079 to 0.236 in) in length, sometimes have basal appendages. [3] They have 3-12 ovules.
The fruits have a submoniliform shape and are 5–18 mm (0.20–0.71 in) long. [2] The bead-like structures are either continuous or joined by narrow waists. [3]
Four subspecies and varieties are accepted: [1]
The dainty sunspurge is found growing between the Kouebokkeveld Mountains and De hoop in South Africa. [2] It has also been introduced in Australia. [4] It prefers clay soils. [2]
Although the species as a whole is considered to be of least concern, Heliophila pusilla var. lanceolata is considered to be rare. [5] [6] It is found in damp, sheltered areas on south- and west-facing slopes on Karbonkelberg, Chapman's Peak, and the Noordhoek Mountains.
Heliophila pusilla | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Brassicales |
Family: | Brassicaceae |
Genus: | Heliophila |
Species: | H. pusilla
|
Binomial name | |
Heliophila pusilla | |
Synonyms [1] | |
Ormiscus pusillus (L.f.) Eckl. & Zeyh. (1835) |
Heliophila pusilla, the dainty sunspurge, is a species of plant in family Brassicaceae. It is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. [1]
This slender annual grows up to 30 cm (12 in) tall. [2] The hairless stems are soft and wiry or flaccid. [3] The leaves are thread-like or lance shaped, with the widest portion near the tip. [2] They are 5–35 mm (0.20–1.38 in) long and 3–15 mm (0.12–0.59 in) wide. [3]
Flowers are present between August and October, forming dense racemes. [2] [3] They range from white to mauve in colour. [2] The petals, which range from 2 to 6 mm (0.079 to 0.236 in) in length, sometimes have basal appendages. [3] They have 3-12 ovules.
The fruits have a submoniliform shape and are 5–18 mm (0.20–0.71 in) long. [2] The bead-like structures are either continuous or joined by narrow waists. [3]
Four subspecies and varieties are accepted: [1]
The dainty sunspurge is found growing between the Kouebokkeveld Mountains and De hoop in South Africa. [2] It has also been introduced in Australia. [4] It prefers clay soils. [2]
Although the species as a whole is considered to be of least concern, Heliophila pusilla var. lanceolata is considered to be rare. [5] [6] It is found in damp, sheltered areas on south- and west-facing slopes on Karbonkelberg, Chapman's Peak, and the Noordhoek Mountains.