![]() ![]() The flamboyant marble buttons, Conophytum calculus (Figure 2), is among one the interesting species in this genus. This area is home to 149 known Conophytum taxa, including 65 separate species. These unusual shapes of Conophytum species also allow these species to successfully occupy a wide range of micro-habitats within the Succulent Karoo Biome. The diverse and unusual leaf characteristics of Conophytum individuals help the plant to ameliorate some of the stresses it is subjected to in the Succulent Karoo. The peculiarities of these succulent plants are well exhibited in most species of the dwarf succulent genus, Conophytum.Ĭonophytum occupies a wide range of habitats, from the quartz-pebble–rich plains of the Knersvlakte through to the high, granite-dominated mountains of the Khamiesberg, to the quartz inselbergs of Bushmanland and the southern Namib Desert. The seeds are only released from the capsule when it rains, and this condition is conducive for good germination. One type of seed bank is seen in several species of the highly dominant plant family, Aizoaceae, in which numerous seeds are stored in characteristic seed capsules held on the plants. Succulent flora species are adapted to the extreme conditions of this biome and these adaptations include some well-developed seed banks. ![]() To cope with this harsh environment, over time, succulent plants have devised peculiar strategies to optimise their survival. The plants are exposed to extremely hot summers and below-average winter variable rainfall. The rich biodiversity of this biome is due to an extensive range of different habitat types. Succulent Karoo consists of about 6 400 plant species of which 40% are endemic, which means they only occur in the area. The Succulent Karoo Biome covers 116 000 km 2 and extends from the south-west through the north-western areas of the Western Cape and into southern Namibia. Despite being overshadowed by the popularity of Fynbos vegetation in the province and occurring in the driest part of the province, the Succulent Karoo is considered a world biodiversity hotspot that is home to the largest concentration of succulent plant species, globally. This floristic region consists of the Core Cape sub-region and the Extra Cape sub-region respectively, better known as the Fynbos Biome and the Succulent Karoo Biome. It is not possible to talk about the biodiversity of the Western Cape Province without mentioning the smallest world-renowned floral kingdom, the Greater Cape Floristic Region. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |