PLANTAE / PHANEROGAMAE / ANTHOPHYTA / ASTERALES / ASTERACEAE / ASTEROIDEAE / ANTHEMIDEAE / ERIOCEPHALUS / PURPUREUS

Eriocephalus purpureus Burch.
LC Indigenous Endemic
Morphological description

Slender, erect, much-branched shrubs, 0.3-0.6 m high. Old stems dark grey, displaying anomalous secondary growth; young shoots yellow-brown, sparsely felty, glabrescent; older branches brown to brown-grey, striped; brachyblasts short-lived, up to 5 mm long. Leaves opposite, but alternate on flowering shoots, decussate on brachyblasts, densely imbricate, entire, linear, 2-6 mm long, adaxially slightly flattened, concave towards base, abaxially convex, keeled distally, bright green, initially sparsely felty, glabrescent, shiny because of glands in cavities on leaves, apex acute, base semi-amplexicaul. Capitula heterogamous radiate, 4-6 mm long, in terminal umbellate-racemes as well as solitary on brachyblasts; peduncles slender, sparsely felty, 6-12 mm long. Involucral bracts 5, broadly ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 4 x 2.5 mm, abaxially glabrous, with glands in cavities on surface, central triangular part herbaceous, margin broad, membranous, apex obtuse to acute. Paleae: those of marginal florets connate with only apex free, hard, coriaceous, margins fringed, base abaxially densely lanate, hairs septate, glabrous distally; those of disc florets lanceolate to narrowly oblong, 3.0-4.5 mm long, flattened, margins and abaxially long-lanate. Ray florets 2 or 3, female; corolla 6-8 mm long with strap-shaped to cuneate, 3-lobed, 4 mm long lamina, pale to dark purple, very conspicuous because of size, abaxially glandular. Style branches flattened, 1.2-2.0 mm long. Ovary oblong to narrowly obovoid, long-pilose. Seed oblanceolate, 2-4 mm long. Disc florets 5-20, functionally male with sterile ovary; corolla trumpet-shaped, 5-7 mm long, 5-lobed, dark red-purple. Style unbranched, apex truncate, globose, with sweeping hairs. Stamens 5, exserted at maturity. Receptacle after anthesis with long hairs between involucral bracts and connate, marginal paleae. Flowering time: correlated with rainfall, June to September with a peak from July to August. From: Muller, MAN; Herman, PPJ; Kolberg, HH. 2001. Asteraceae - Anthemideae: Eriocephalus and Lasiospermum. Fl. S. Africa 33(4,1): 1-75. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. [http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209557#page/1/mode/1up] [CC BY]

Twiggy shrublet, up to 0.6 m tall. Leaves alternate on flowering shoots, opposite on short shoots, linear, bright green, 2-6 mm long, glabrescent with sunken glands. Flowerheads. Solitary and umbellate-racemose on peduncles 6-12 mm long, radiate, 6-12 mm long; involucral bracts 5, glabrous with sunken glands; ray florets 2 or 3, pale to dark purple; disc florets reddish purple; marginal paleae connate into tube, silky below. From: Manning, JC. 2013. Asteraceae: Eriocephalus. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 286-288. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Twiggy shrublet to 60 cm. Leaves linear, in tufts and crowded on short shoots. Flower heads radiate, solitary on short shoots, rays conspicuous, mauve. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P; Beyers, JBP. 2012. Asteraceae: Eriocephalus L. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 372-372. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Diagnostic description

E. purpureus has distinct, large, pale to dark purple, strap-shaped ray florets, which easily distinguish it from related species. However, sterile and fruiting material presents problems in identification as it closely resembles E. ericoides. If no remains of the ray florets are present, the two species can be distinguished by the connate, marginal paleae forming a hard, cylindrical, coriaceous sheath in E. purpureus as opposed to the short, yellow, marginal female florets and free, marginal paleae in E. ericiodes. From: Muller, MAN; Herman, PPJ; Kolberg, HH. 2001. Asteraceae - Anthemideae: Eriocephalus and Lasiospermum. Fl. S. Africa 33(4,1): 1-75. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. [http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209557#page/1/mode/1up] [CC BY]

Habitat

In mountainous regions. From: Muller, MAN; Herman, PPJ; Kolberg, HH. 2001. Asteraceae - Anthemideae: Eriocephalus and Lasiospermum. Fl. S. Africa 33(4,1): 1-75. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. [http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209557#page/1/mode/1up] [CC BY]

Dry, rocky karroid slopes. From: Manning, JC. 2013. Asteraceae: Eriocephalus. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 286-288. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Dry, rocky, karroid slopes. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P; Beyers, JBP. 2012. Asteraceae: Eriocephalus L. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 372-372. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Distribution

The distribution of E. purpureas is restricted to the winter-rainfall area and extends from Loeriesfontein southwards to Matjiesfontein. From: Muller, MAN; Herman, PPJ; Kolberg, HH. 2001. Asteraceae - Anthemideae: Eriocephalus and Lasiospermum. Fl. S. Africa 33(4,1): 1-75. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. [http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/209557#page/1/mode/1up] [CC BY]

Garies, Bokkeveld, Hantam and Roggeveld to Cederberg Mountains. From: Manning, JC. 2013. Asteraceae: Eriocephalus. In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 286-288. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Namaqualand to Cedarberg and W Karoo. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P; Beyers, JBP. 2012. Asteraceae: Eriocephalus L. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 372-372. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Flowering time

June to September

Altitude

300 to 1500 m

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:

Residence status

Occurrence in the Flora of Southern Africa (FSA) countries and South African provinces. Residence status indicates if a taxon is indigenous, endemic, naturalised or invasive in a specific region. This data is based on specimen records and literature

FSA

SA

BOT

NAM

ESW

LES

WC

EC

NC

FS

GA

KZN

LP

MP

NW

Absent

Indigenous

Endemic

Naturalised

Invasive

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Names and Sources

Accepted name
Eriocephalus purpureus Burch.
Synonym(s)

Eriocephalus xerophilus Schltr.


Classification

KINGDOM Plantae

SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae

PHYLUM Anthophyta

ORDER Asterales

FAMILY Asteraceae

SUBFAMILY Asteroideae

TRIBE Anthemideae

GENUS Eriocephalus

SPECIES purpureus

36 results for Eriocephalus purpureus Burch.

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Specimen records

Barcode: NBG0028153-1 Collector(s) & number: Middlemost, AJM, 1604 | 1950-8-23

South Africa, Western Cape, Calvinia Dist. Nieuwoudtville Waterfall.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0133601-0 Collector(s) & number: Perry, 2109 | 1983-6-15

South Africa, Western Cape, Calvinia Dist. Nieuwoudtville Reserve, at entrance.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0201048-0 Collector(s) & number: Marloth, HWR, 2725 | 1902-9-

South Africa, Northern Cape, VAN RHYNSDORP DIV.; GIFBERG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0201054-0 Collector(s) & number: Goldblatt, P, 2119 | 1974-7-18

South Africa, Western Cape, MATJESFONTEIN; PLAINS NR. RAILWAY

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0170496-0 Collector(s) & number: Low, AB, 4632 | 1999-8-28

South Africa, Cape Province, Matjies Rivier. Lower Truitjieskraal area near entrance from Ceres Road. Roadside.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0028057-0 Collector(s) & number: Compton, RH, 7260 | 1938-7-7

South Africa, Western Cape, Laingsburg Dist. Whitehill.

General notes: Alt. 3000 ft. Flowers mauve.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0028153-2 Collector(s) & number: Middlemost, AJM, 1604 | 1950-8-23

South Africa, Western Cape, Calvinia Dist. Nieuwoudtville Waterfall.

General notes: Fruiting.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0200639-0 Collector(s) & number: Rosch, H, 211 | 2004-8-9

South Africa, Northern Cape, Hantam. Ou Muur, releve 1. Lat.: 31°29'43.9"; Long.: 19°17'34.5".

General notes: Karoo vegetation. Ridge. Well-drained, red-brown, sandy clay, soil. Acock's Veld Type: 28. No disturbance. W aspect. Level slope. Widespread, common. Seasonality: unknown. Perennial, erect, shrub. Flowers white, pink. No fruit. Plant height 0.40 m.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0102897-0 Collector(s) & number: Goldblatt, P, 2119 | 1974-7-18

South Africa, Western Cape, Matjiesfontein, plains near railway.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0268897-0 Collector(s) & number: Magee, AR, 318 | 2011-8-29

South Africa, Northern Cape, Nieuwoudtville Reserve. Growing in Dwyka tillite on flats at entrance.

General notes: Fynbos. No slope. Full sun. Shrub, 40 cm. Fruit present. Voucher: photo and DNA.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0201050-0 Collector(s) & number: Schmidt, AA, 597 | 1936--

South Africa, Northern Cape, CALVINIA DIST.; MT. SLOPES

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0051307-0 Collector(s) & number: Barker, WF, 9293 | 1961-7-21

South Africa, Northern Cape, Calvinia Dist. Top of Botterkloof Pass.

General notes: Flowers purple.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0261610-0 Collector(s) & number: Thompson, MF, 1227 | 1971-9-14

South Africa, Western Cape, Montagu Dist. NE of Jan De Boers.

General notes: Alt. 900 m. Ridge. Shaly N slope above road. Bush 0.5 m high.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0201053-0 Collector(s) & number: Van der Schijff, HP, 7043 | 1967-7-20

South Africa, Western Cape, VAN RHYNS PASS; ERICA

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0201049-0 Collector(s) & number: Acocks, JPH, 14311 | 1948-5-1

South Africa, Western Cape, LAINGSBURG DIV.; KLEIN ROGGEVELD MTS.; 16.5 MI. N. OF MATJESFONTEIN

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0725066-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Wyk, CM, 1416 | 1983-8-10

South Africa, Western Cape, NIEUWOUDTVILLE.; OORLOGSKLOOF FARM

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0028152-0 Collector(s) & number: Compton, RH, 7264 | 1938-7-8

South Africa, Western Cape, Laingsburg Dist. Klein Roggeveld.

General notes: Alt. 4000 ft. Flowers mauve.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0028056-0 Collector(s) & number: Compton, RH, 3236 | 1927-8-8

South Africa, Western Cape, Laingsburg Dist. Karoo Garden, Whitehill.

General notes: Alt. 2700 ft. Erect shrub, rays pale mauve.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0261612-0 Collector(s) & number: Muller, MAN, 4009 | 1985-7-20

South Africa, Western Cape, Whitehill.

General notes: Many-stemmed shrubs 20 cm high with pale mauve flowers. Quite common.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG1474235-0 Collector(s) & number: Myburgh, A, 5332 | 2014-8-26

South Africa, Northern Cape, Nieuwoudtville, Hantam National Botanical Garden, parking area 1.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0201051-0 Collector(s) & number: Acocks, JPH, 18863 | 1956-7-21

South Africa, Northern Cape, CALVINIA DIV.; LOKENBURG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0261613-0 Collector(s) & number: Martin, AL, 27 | 1989-5-19

South Africa, Western Cape, Laingsburg Dist. Anysberg Nature Reserve. Rhenoster Koppie Kleinspreeufontein flats.

General notes: Hill. Well-drained grey-brown sandy stony soil. SW aspect, moderate slope. Karoo vegetation. Heavily grazed. Semi-deciduous perennial erect dwarf shrub 0.20 m high with purple flowers. Local occasional.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0248415-0 Collector(s) & number: Hitchcock, A, 3419 | 2007-9-4

South Africa, Western Cape, Nieuwoudtville, road to Waterfall along both sides of road. 31° 19' 32.136"S, 19° 6' 44.904"E.

General notes: Alt. 677 m. Renosterveld. Plateau. Well-drained, clay soil, granite. Full sun. Roadside. Flower colour white. Shrub 0.60 m.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0261611-0 Collector(s) & number: Barker, WF, 9293 | 1961-7-21

South Africa, Northern Cape, Calvinia Dist. Top of Botterkloof Pass.

General notes: Flowers purple.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0739420-0 Collector(s) & number: Fellingham, AC, 1375 | 1988-9-5

South Africa, Cape Province, FARM 'DE PLAAT'; SOUTH OF RD. AT GATE TO BOKFONTEIN. AMONG ROCKS, ON N-SLOPE.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0705281-0 Collector(s) & number: Hugo, L, 519 | 1976-9-13

South Africa, Northern Cape, NIEWOUDTVILLE DIST.; 15 KM S OF NIEWOUDTVILLE

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0757937-0 Collector(s) & number: Koekemoer, M, 3200 | 2006-8-5

South Africa, Northern Cape, Tankwa Karoo National Park. Plateau above Gannaga Pass. (8 m GPS accuracy).

General notes: No slope. Fairly common.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0051848-0 Collector(s) & number: Barker, WF, 9382 | 1961-8-9

South Africa, Western Cape, Calvinia Dist. Nieuwoudtville, Klip Koppies.

General notes: Fruiting.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0743989-0 Collector(s) & number: Bayer, MB, 5893 | 1989-6-1

South Africa, Cape Province, CALVINIA DIST; NIEUWOUDTVILLE; 15 KM NE.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0785592-0 Collector(s) & number: Bayer, MB, 6215 | 1992-7-27

South Africa, Western Cape, Montagu. Jan de Boers. East of Touws River.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG1474236-0 Collector(s) & number: Myburgh, A, AM60 | 2014-6-30

South Africa, Northern Cape, Nieuwoudtville, Hantam National Botanical Garden, parking area 1.

General notes: When crushed, plant has rosemary-like aroma. Flower smells very sweet, honey scent. Very fragrant plant.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0213539-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 4259 | 2006-9-4

South Africa, Western Cape, Vanrhynsdorp. Kobee Valley, south of Klein Kobee. 31°32'55.4"S: 19°00'25.8"E.

General notes: Fynbos biome. Veld type: Renosterveld. Gentle hill slope. Well-drained, stony and loamy soil. Shale. Full sun. E aspect. No biotic effect seen. Shrub. Fruit: present. Dominant along with Eriocephalus africanus. Veld > 20 years. Plant height: 0.5 m.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0201047-0 Collector(s) & number: Schlechter, FRR, 10888 | 1897-8-17

South Africa, Western Cape, VAN RHYNSDORP DIV.; BOTTERKLOOF

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0201052-0 Collector(s) & number: Acocks, JPH, 18864 | 1956-7-21

South Africa, Northern Cape, CALVINIA DIV.; LOKENBURG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0656644-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Wyk, CM, 1416 | 1983-8-10

South Africa, Cape Province, FARM OORLOGSKLOOF; NEAR NIEUWOUDTVILLE

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0491924-0 Collector(s) & number: Burchell, WJ, 1281 | 1811-7-22

South Africa, Western Cape, Sutherland Division: Koedoes Mountains; Windheuwel.

General notes: Photograph of HOLOTYPE

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Plant occurence records per dataset

Plant occurence records per year

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:

2013

SERIES CHAPTER

Asteraceae: Eriocephalus Manning, JC

In: DA Snijman (ed.), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The Extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30: 286-288

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2012

SERIES CHAPTER

Asteraceae: Eriocephalus L. Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P; Beyers, JBP

In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 372-372

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2001

FLORA

Asteraceae - Anthemideae: Eriocephalus and Lasiospermum Muller, MAN; Herman, PPJ; Kolberg, HH

Flora of Southern Africa 33(4),11-75

National Botanical Institute, Pretoria

1822

BOOK

Travels in the interior of southern Africa, Vol. 1 Burchell, WJ

Longman, London

No results found for Eriocephalus purpureus Burch.

Status

Status and criteria

LC

Assessor(s)

Plantae Coordinator

Part(s) of plant used Use(s) Reference

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