Vexatorella
| Vexatorella | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Vexatorella Rourke, 1984[1] |
| Species | |
|
See text. | |
Vexatorella is a genus containing four species of flowering plant, commonly known as vexators, in the Proteaceae family. The genus is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. The name means “little trouble-maker”, given with reference to the initial difficulties of placing V. latebrosa within the family. All species are shrubs which occur in dry fynbos habitats on the fringes of the Succulent Karoo ecoregion. The inflorescences are similar to those of the related leucospermums but also share features of the leucadendrons, with the floral bracts becoming woody and enlarged following pollination.[2] The flowers are insect-pollinated, with the seeds dispersed by ants (myrmecochory).[3]
Species
Described species include:[4][3]
- Vexatorella alpina (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke –
- Vexatorella amoena (Rourke) Rourke –Swartruggens Vexator
- Vexatorella latebrosa Rourke – Robertson Vexator
- Vexatorella obtusata (Thunb.) Rourke
- Vexatorella obtusata obtusata – Montagu Vexator
- Vexatorella obtusata albomontana – Witteberg Vexator
References
- ↑ Rourke JP (1984). "Vexatorella Rourke, a new genus of the Proteaceae from southern Africa.". Journal of South African Botany 50: 373–391.
- ↑ Paterson-Jones, Colin (2007). Protea. Struik. p. 32. ISBN 9781770075245.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Vexatorella". Protea Atlas Project: Vexators. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
- ↑ "Vexatorella". The Plant List. 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-20.