Triaspis hypericoides subsp. hypericoides

Zietsman, P. C. & Zietsman, L. E., 2019, Floristic diversity at Kolomela mine on the Ghaap Plateau, Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province, Indago 35, pp. 1-33 : 10

In South Africa, Triaspis hypericoides subsp. hypericoides

( Figs 14a & b )

is restricted to the Griekwaland West Centre of Endemism (Van Wyk & Smith 2001). It is isolated from its closest neighbouring populations, which are found in the northern part of Botswana. This plant is also isolated from the Triaspis hypericoides subsp. nelsonii populations that occur in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West provinces in South Africa and the populations in the far north of Namibia (Immelman 1986). In Sekhukhuneland, T. glaucophylla is associated with heavy-metal soils (Van Wyk & Smith 2001). It has been suggested that T. hypericoides subsp. hypericoides might also be an indicator of similar soils. Based on the complete isolation of the Ghaap populations from all other Triaspis species, this subspecies may be elevated to species status (Van Wyk pers. com. 2018).

Figures

Figure 14. Triaspis hypericoides subsp. hypericoides (a) and fruit (b).