Tetragonia fruticosa
| Tetragonia fruticosa | |
|---|---|
| |
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Tetragonia |
| Species: | T. fruticosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tetragonia fruticosa L., 1753
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Tetragonia fruticosa, or kinkelbossie, is an endemic Southern African coastal perennial shrub or scrambler well-suited to dune sand stabilisation and often browsed by livestock and game. It is found from sea-level to about 1100 metres. [1]
The fruits are unusual for Aizoaceae being 4-winged, single-seeded and indehiscent. The wings are green and succulent at first, drying and becoming papery and brown, aiding in dispersal of the seed by wind. [2] The flowers are a rich source of pollen and nectar for honeybees. [3]
References
- ^ http://posa.sanbi.org/specieslist.php?Key=52262&Lock=tvdf8x6cm8&PostoptListType=1&optSortOrder=Family+DESC&pgResult=126&boolDownload=2
- ^ http://operationwildflower.org.za/index.php/component/joomgallery/genera-q-z/tetragonia/tetragonia-fruticosa-thabo-10-4896#joomimg
- ^ https://www.sanbi.org/sites/default/files/documents/documents/kirstenbosch-nbg-list-plants-provide-food-honey-bees.pdf