Erythrina zeyheri
| Ploughbreaker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Erythrina |
| Species: | E. zeyheri |
| Binomial name | |
| Erythrina zeyheri Harv. | |
Erythrina zeyheri, commonly known as the ploughbreaker, is a deciduous subshrub and member of the Fabaceae, which is endemic to southern Africa. It grows no more than 60 cm tall[1] and occurs naturally in the higher altitude grasslands of South Africa's central plateau, and that of adjacent Lesotho.[2] They favour clay soil in the vicinity of creeks and marshes and often form colonies.[1] Its specific name commemorates the 19th century botanist, Karl Zeyher.
Description
The glabrous, trifoliolate leaves have large leaflets armed with recurved spines along the rachis and main venation,[3] which is prominently raised below. The shoots and leaves are deciduous, dying away during harsh highveld winters,[1] when the plant survives as an extensive tuberous rootstock. Inflorescences appear in summer, from October to January.[1] The drooping scarlet, or rarely white flowers[3] are capped by a red calyxes.
Their fruit are smooth black pods, each containing a few hard, orange-red seeds.[1][3]
Foodplant
It is a foodplant for the moth Terastia margaritis.[4]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Elliot Lithudzha, K Behr,. "Erythrina zeyheri". plantzafrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
- ↑ Reports of its occurrence in Botswana and Zimbabwe are suspect, see: "Erythrina latissima E. Mey. (Notes)". Flora Zambesiaca. kew.org. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- 1 2 3 van Wyk, Braam; et al. (1988). Veldgids tot die Veldblomme van die Witwatersrand en Pretoria. Cape Town: Struik. pp. 206–207. ISBN 0-86977-815-3.
- ↑ Goff, R. "Terastia margaritis". African Moths. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
External links
- Colony of Erythrina zeyheri after a grass-fire, Operation wildflower
Media related to Erythrina zeyheri at Wikimedia Commons