About Serruria decipiens R.Br.
Taxonomy and Common Name
Serruria decipiens, commonly known as the Sandveld spiderhead, is a flowering shrub in the genus Serruria.
Biome Affiliation
It is part of South Africa’s fynbos biome.
Distribution
This species is native to the Western Cape, where it grows exclusively in Sandveld, Hopefield, the Cape Flats, Piketberg, and the Olifants River Mountains.
Growth Form and Size
The shrub has a rounded growth form and reaches a height of 1.0 m.
Flowering Period
It produces flowers from July to October each year.
Fire Response
While fire will kill mature plants, their seeds are able to survive fire events.
Seed Dispersal
Two months after flowering finishes, the fruit drops off the plant, and ants disperse the seeds by storing them in their nests.
Reproduction and Pollination
This species is bisexual, and pollination is carried out by insects.
Habitat and Elevation
It grows in sandy soil at elevations between 0 and 250 m above sea level.
