Anthospermum spathulatum subsp. spathulatum
Anthospermum spathulatum Spreng. subsp. spathulatum
Family: Rubiaceae
Common names: spoon flowerseed, spathulate anthospermum, jackal's tail (Eng.), jakkalsstert, skaapbos (Afr.)
Introduction
A dense, woody shrublet with small, needle-like leaves densely covering the stems to form an interesting arrangement of foliaged branches.
Description
Description
Anthospermum spathulatum is a variable, evergreen shrub, that reaches a height of about 1.5 m, most often with a relatively densely branched, upright form, but it can also have spreading growth. This shrublet is normally found growing with a single stem, but its branching habit can sometimes lead one to assume it has multiple stems – a look at the base often shows that the first set of branches grows just above the base, almost at the surface level. The species displays a smooth, beautiful reddish bark on new shoots and juvenile branches. The bark changes colour towards the older growth, turning pale-brown, tinged with silver, with some deep grey marks resulting from the expanding width of the branches. New shoots occur in opposite pairs, with opposite growth on the same node and arranged alternately between internodes, forming a nice pattern of four rows of leaf sets (shoots). The size of the internode varies, depending on the size of the plant and the age of plant growth. The leaves vary from egg-shaped (obovate) to needle-like (linear-lanceolate), they are single or in small bunches, in opposite pairs growing on each node, with succeeding pairs arranged at right angles to the pair above or below (decussate). The average size of the leaves is 3-12 mm long and 0.5-3 mm wide. They are bright green, sometimes deep green, depending on the environmental conditions, and sometimes touched with red. Leaf tips are slightly pointed to rounded, sometimes turning down slightly. The lower leaf surfaces are pale and finely hairy.
Anthospermum spathulatum is a dioecious plant, having male flowers and female flowers growing on separate plants. Although the flowers are usually dioecious, sometimes male flowers with ovaries capable of ripening seed are found. The plant produces clusters of small, tubular flowers, yellowish to green, sometimes whitish to yellow, occasionally purplish on the outside. Male flowers are 0.5-1.2 mm long with yellow anthers up to 2.5 mm long. Female flowers are 0.1-0.4 mm long with two hairy stigmas up to 7.6 mm long. The flowers bloom from winter to late summer (June to February). The female flowers produce two small, single-seeded, ribbed, reddish brown to greyish brown capsules (mericarps), about 2 x 1 mm. The seeds are relatively small in size.
Anthospermum spathulum is often confused with A. aethiopicum, the other shrubby south-western Cape Anthospermum species, which is distinguished from A. spathulatum by its leaves that are strictly arranged in threes (ternate).
Conservation Status
Status
According to the Red List of South African plants, the conservation status of this species is Least Concern (LC).
Distribution and habitat
Distribution description
Anthospermum spathulatum is endemic to southern Africa, it occurs in southern Namibia, South Africa and Lesotho. In South Africa, it is found growing in both winter-rainfall and summer-rainfall regions. It is widely spread from Namaqualand in the Northern Cape, to the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape to the Eastern Cape. This plant can be abundant in sandy or loamy soils, in all the lowland habitat types, but is absent from moist Protea and Ericoid Fynbos. It grows on hillsides and in rocky places. In its natural habitat, the soil is most often, fairly nutrient-poor and free-draining. The plant can endure in arid soils since it is acclimated to dry conditions.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
History
The genus name Anthospermum is derived from the Greek words anthos, which means ‘flower’ and spermum which refers to ‘a seed’. Although the flowers are usually dioecious – unisexual, male and female – male flowers sometimes have ovaries capable of ripening seed. The specific name spathulatum is descriptive of the shape of the leaf, and is derived from the Latin spatha, meaning ‘spathe’, which typically refers to a broad flat blade, -ulus, indicating the diminutive, and -atum, indicating possession or likeness, to form spathulatum, meaning ‘resembling a small flat blade’.
Anthospermum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. This genus is comprised of 39 accepted species of large shrubs, shrublets, short-lived subshrubs or perennial herbs, largely concentrated in Africa, south of the Sahara and in Madagascar, with the highest taxonomic concentration found in southern Africa. It is one of the members of the subtribe Anthosperminae, housing the genera Anthospermum L., Carpacoceae Sond., Galopina Thunb., Nenax Gaertn. and Phyllis L.. Anthosperminae subtribe members are found in Africa, Madagascar, Macaronesia, and Arabia. They are distinguished by their unisexual or protandrous flowers and dry, dehiscent (sometimes indehiscent) fruits.
The Rubiaceae family has a worldwide distribution, with a concentration in temperate, tropical, and subtropical climates. About 13 000 species from 660 genera make up the family Rubiaceae, which is divided into 42 tribes. Consequently, the family is acknowledged as belonging to the fourth biggest group of flowering plants. The family exhibits a great deal of diversity in growth forms and habits, encompassing trees, shrubs, and herbs. The majority of the species in the family are woody, with less than 20% of the genera being herbaceous.
Ecology
Ecology
Anthospermum spathulatum plants are palatable and are browsed by game or stock, browsed plants becoming stunted and rounded. This shrublet occurs in biomes that are prone to fires and does not resprout after fire but the population regenerates from seeds. The flowers are pollinated by wind, they are small, inconspicuous, odourless, unisexual and the anthers and stigmas extend beyond the flowers (exserted).The plant is adapted to arid conditions and can grow in dry soils and survive periods of drought.
Uses
Use
Anthospermum spathulatum can be used as a low hedge plant and for its aesthetic qualities in landscaping and it is a resilient plant that can be planted in water-wise gardens and to help restore degraded land. Although no records were found documenting any medicinal uses of this species, it may have therapeutic qualities, because other species are used in traditional medicine, e.g. Anthospermum rigidum subsp. pumilum is used in KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and in Lesotho to treat painful menstruation and is used during pregnancy, and in many traditional remedies to hasten healing and as convalescent charms, good luck charms and for other protective purposes, and to treat lung sickness in horses. However, there is as yet minimal to no scientific evidence that these species contain medicinal qualities, nor have the exact plant parts and procedures that should be followed to prepare the plant for medicinal use been clarified.
Growing Anthospermum spathulatum subsp. spathulatum
Grow
The spoon flowerseed grows as a perennial shrub in full sun to partial shade. It grows best in moist, well-drained soils and can withstand some drought. Propagation is typically accomplished through seed sowing or cuttings.
Anthospermum spathulatum can easily be reproduced from seeds and does not require any special treatment. This species has been sown and grown under harsh natural conditions at the Tygerberg Hills, where seeds were intentionally dispersed in the field for restoration, letting nature takes its course, and resulted in good germination outcomes. Seeds can be collected in mid to late summer and sown in autumn (April to May). Use a general seed sowing mix with good drainage and aeration. This can include a balanced growth media with sand and sifted compost, peat or potting mix. Ideally, the germination mix should be fine to enhance effective germination, although soil containing coarse particles would not restrict A. spathulatum seeds from germinating. One can choose from varieties of available germination trays to sow seeds. Firmly place seeds on the germination mix and cover them with fine soil particles. Immediately water the seed trays using fine sprayer or mist sprayer to allow seeds to get attached to soil and avoid washing off the seeds on the next watering application. Germination trays should be placed in a semi-shaded area, with some sunlight reaching the area. Trays do not need to be moist all the time, but do not allow them to dry out completely. On average, A. spathulatum seeds germinate in 4 to 8 weeks.
This species has proved to be challenging to propagate by cuttings, but it is doable. Propagation by cuttings was recently tested at Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden and low rooting was recorded. Ideally, fresh cuttings should be collected from a healthy mother plant. Semi-hardwood cuttings should be propagated in autumn. Use a soil mixture with a high ratio of washed coarse river sand mixed with sifted compost. A rooting hormone suitable for semi-hardwood cuttings can be used. Cuttings can be kept inside the controlled greenhouse at a warm temperature, or in the mist house with heated benches and intermittent mist. Supply moisture to the cuttings through misting cuttings trays. It is best to use shallow trays for cuttings, to allow easy drainage and avoid soil holding high moisture content.
Anthospermum spathulatum requires very little maintenance in the nursery. It needs bright, indirect sunlight, a well-draining soil mixture, and moderate watering. During the growing season, fertilize the plant once a month using a balanced fertilizer. This is a relatively fast-growing species, after flowering, trim the plant to maintain control over its size and shape. Pests like mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites can affect A. spathulatum. Neem oil or insecticidal soap work well against these pests. Additionally, the plant may be impacted by fungal diseases like root rot and powdery mildew. A healthy air circulation system and avoiding overwatering the plant are the best ways to prevent fungal diseases.
References
- Broddle, P. 2020-9. Observation of Anthospermum spathulatum, Overberg. iNaturalist. Online. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/69355375.
- Broddle, P. 2023-11. Observation of Anthospermum spathulatum, De Grendel, Cape Town. iNaturalist. Online. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/192583878.
- Casabio. Species Anthospermum spathulatum. https://casabio.org/taxa/anthospermum-spathulatum. Accessed on 20/11/2023.
- Clarke, H. & Charters, M. 2016. The illustrated dictionary of southern African plant names. Flora & Fauna Publications Trust, Jacana, Johannesburg.
- Frith, V. 2023-09. Observation of Anthospermum spathulatum, Slangkop, Kommetjie. iNaturalist. Online. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184416643.
- Grobler, A. 2023-11. Observation of Anthospermum spathulatum, Blue Hill Nature Reserve, Baviaanskloof. iNaturalist. Online. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193966854.
- Hermanus Botanical Society. Anthospermum spathulatum. https://www.fernkloof.org.za/index.php/all-plants/plant-families/item/anthospermum-spathulatum. Accessed on 20/11/2023.
- Hutchings, A., Scott, A.H., Lewis, G. & Cunningham, A.B. 1996. Zulu medicinal plants: an inventory. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg.
- Latti, I. & Maphisa, T. n.d. Anthospermum spathulatum. Operation Wildflower. https://www.operationwildflower.org.za/index.php/albums/shrubs/anthospermum-spathulatum-thabo-4-4352. Accessed 20/11/2023.
- Leaf Library. Anthospermum spathulatum. https://leaflibrary.com/anthospermum-spathulatum/#Habitat. Accessed on 20/11/2023.
- Moteetee, A., Moffett, R.O. & Seleteng-Kose, L. 2019. A review of the ethnobotany of the Basotho of Lesotho and the Free State Province of South Africa (South Sotho). South African Journal of Botany 122: 21-56.
- Nemando, R. 2021. Systematics of subtribe Anthosperminae and the generic affinities of Anthospermum and Nenax (Rubiaceae: Anthospermeae). MSc Thesis, Faculty of Natural Science, University of the Western Cape.
- Plants of the World Online. Anthospermum spathulatum. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:743409-1. Accessed on 20/11/2023.
- Puff, C. 1986. Anthospermeae. Flora of Southern Africa 31(1,2): 7-60. Accessible via Biodiversity Heritage Library at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209569#page/19/mode/1up.
- Raimondo, D., Von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. & Manyama, P.A. (eds) 2009. Red list of South African plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
- The World Flora Online. Anthospermum aethiopicum L. https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000219544. Accessed on 20/11/2023.
- The World Flora Online. Anthospermum spathulatum subsp. spathulatum. https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000220603. Accessed on 20/11/2023.
- Van Berkel, N. 2017-09. Observation of Anthospermum spathulatum, Mons Ruber, Oudtshoorn District. iNaturalist. Online. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/16226751.
- Walton, B.A. 2006. Vegetation patterns and dynamics of Renosterveld at Agter-Groeneberg Conservancy, Western Cape, South Africa. MSc Thesis, Stellenbosch University.
Credits
Thabang Makola & Sicelo Sithole
Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
January 2024
Acknowledgements: images by Petra Broddle, Adriaan Grobler, Nicola van Berkel and Vera Frith, from their observations on iNaturalist.
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type: Shrub
SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape
Soil type: Sandy, Loam
Flowering season: Spring, Early Summer, Winter
PH: Acid, Neutral
Flower colour: Green, White, Yellow
Aspect: Full Sun
Gardening skill: Easy
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