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Eriospermum subincanum

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A wild plant (and a caterpillar)  by Nick Helme, Ispotnature.org.


 The leave's underside by Nick Helme, Ispotnature.org.


 Two wild plants by Nick Helme, Ispotnature.org.


Pauline Lesley Perry's herbarium specimen.

Author: 

Pauline Lesley Perry, 1989

Family: 

ERIOSPERMACEAE*

Origin: 

Van Rhynsdorp, Biedouw; MW South Africa

Soil: 

Sand

Water: 

Medium

Sun: 

Medium - Maximum

Thickness: 

2 Centimetres

Height: 

5 Centimetres

Flower: 

Yellowish-Green / Red / Green

Propagate: 

Seeds

Names: 

Crispy Woolseed

Synonyms: 

-

This member of the Eriospermaceae* family was given this name by Pauline Lesley Perry in 1989. It is found around Van Rhynsdorp and Biedouw in mid-western South Africa, growing in a sandy soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow to two centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to five centimetres in height. The flowers are pale yellowish-green with suffused faint red striations and the mid-nerve is green. The leaves are densely pubescent with short
white hairs on the underside, more scarce above, which is shiny.

The genera name from Greek; erion; 'woll' and Greek sperma; 'seed'. The species name from Latin; Sub-; 'under'  and incanum; 'hoary, grey with age, like grey felt, for the leaves.

*)Accordantly to the latest taxonomic system; APG IV 2016, Eriospermaceae is now part of the Asparagaceae.

This is a winter-grower, flowering in the autumn.


Jeanette Loedolff's drawing from the original publication.