Lobostemon echioides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Lobostemon
Species:
L. echioides
Binomial name
Lobostemon echioides
Lehm.
Synonyms[1]
  • Echium buekii I.M.Johnst.
  • Echium diversifolium (H.Buek) I.M.Johnst.
  • Echium echioides (Lehm.) I.M.Johnst.
  • Echium fastigiatum (H.Buek) I.M.Johnst.
  • Echium microphyllum (H.Buek) I.M.Johnst.
  • Echium nitidum (Bolus) I.M.Johnst.
  • Echium pubiflorum (C.H.Wright) I.M.Johnst.
  • Echium trichotomum Thunb.
  • Echium virgatum (H.Buek) I.M.Johnst.
  • Lobostemon diversifolius H.Buek
  • Lobostemon elongatus H.Buek
  • Lobostemon fastigiatus H.Buek
  • Lobostemon lehmannianus H.Buek
  • Lobostemon microphyllus H.Buek
  • Lobostemon nitidus Bolus
  • Lobostemon nitidus Bolus ex C.H.Wright
  • Lobostemon pubiflorus C.H.Wright
  • Lobostemon virgatus H.Buek

Lobostemon echioides, the common healthbush, is the mostly widely distributed species in its genus. It is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, where it is found growing between Namaqualand and the Karoo and the Eastern Cape.

Description

This resprouting shrub or undershrub grows about 20–80 cm (7.9–31.5 in) tall.[2][3] The stalkless leaves are narrow and hairy and are often soft and silvery.[3]

Flowers are mainly present from August to October but have been found year round. Plants flowering from February to May seem to be confined to the southern parts of the distribution, where small amounts of rain are available throughout the year.[4] The flowers are small (petals are 17–30 mm (0.67–1.18 in) long) and violet-blue. They are hairy on the outside and are borne in may flowered cymes.[2][3] The buds are arranged in two distinct rows, spreading greatly in the fruiting stage.[2] The stamens protrude beyond the petals.[3] The staminal scales are triangular with lateral lobes.[3] The staminal scales inserted at the throat of the corolla tube, about 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) above the base of the corolla tube

Distribution and habitat

This is the most widely distributed Lobostemon species, occurring across the range of the genus.[4] It grows from Namaqualand and the Karoo through to the Eastern Cape.[2][4] It prefers drier habitats and is absent from wetter areas. It grows on stony slopes and flats in mostly sandstone derived soils.[2]

Ecology

As with other Lobostemon species, the common healthbush is able to resprout after a fire.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Lobostemon echinoides". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 BODATSA: Botanical Collections. v1.4. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Dataset/Occurrence. http://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=brahms_online&v=1.4
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2012). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 1: the core Cape flora (PDF). Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI. ISBN 978-1-919976-74-7. OCLC 852384288.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Buys, Matt H (2006). "Lobostemon". PlantZAfrica. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
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