About Diastella thymelaeoides (P.J.Bergius) Rourke
Taxonomy and Biome Affiliation
Diastella thymelaeoides (P.J.Bergius) Rourke is a flowering shrub that belongs to the genus Diastella and is a component of the fynbos biome.
Native Distribution
This shrub is native to the Western Cape province of South Africa, where it occurs in the Hottentots Holland Mountains and the northern Kogelberg region surrounding Steenbras Dam.
Growth Habit and Size
It grows in an upright habit, reaching a maximum height of 1.5 meters.
Flowering Period
The plant flowers year-round, with the peak flowering period occurring from August to November.
Fire Response
Fires will kill mature Diastella thymelaeoides plants, but their seeds survive fire events.
Seed Dispersal
Two months after flowering completes, the fruit detaches from the plant, and ants disperse the seeds by storing them in their nests.
Reproduction and Pollination
Diastella thymelaeoides is unisexual, and pollination of the plants is carried out by bees.
Habitat and Elevation
The species grows on rocky sandstone slopes at elevations between 450 and 900 meters above sea level.
