Paranomus reflexus (E.Phillips & Hutch.) Fourc.

Common Name and Taxonomy

Paranomus reflexus, commonly called Van Staden's scepter, is a flowering shrub in the Proteaceae plant family.

Vegetation Type Affiliation

It is a component of South Africa's fynbos vegetation type.

Native Distribution

This species is native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa, where it grows on Elandsberg and Van Stadensberg.

Size and Flowering Period

The shrub reaches a maximum height of 1.5 meters, and flowers between June and August each year.

Fire Response

While fire will kill the entire plant, its seeds are able to survive fire events.

Reproductive Biology and Pollination

Paranomus reflexus has bisexual flowers, and pollination is carried out by insects.

Fruit Development

The fruit of the plant ripens two months after flowering finishes.

Seed Dispersal

Once mature, seeds drop to the ground, and are dispersed by ants.

Habitat and Altitude Range

This shrub grows in sandstone soil at altitudes between 1000 and 2000 meters.

Local Name and Tree Number

In Afrikaans, the plant is called Van Staden-septerboom, and its national tree number is 72.4.