Metalasia capitata (Lam.) Less.
VU Indigenous Endemic

Morphological description

Shrublet, decumbent or sometimes erect, sparingly to much-branched, up to 1 m high but usually not exceeding 0.5 m. Branches ascending to erect, young densely whitish-tomentose, older becoming less tomentose, with distinct leaf-scars. Foliage on flowering shoots dense, on older branches dense to sparse. Leaves ± straight, on flowering shoots erect, imbricate, non-twisted and without axillary brachyblasts; on older branches declinate to spreading, about half-twisted and with axillary brachyblasts less than half as long as the subtending leaf, involute to much involute, narrowly ovate to narrowly lanceolate, sometimes linear-lanceolate, 1.5-13 x 0.5-1.5 mm, acute, sparsely tomentose to glabrous, midvein invisible. Synflorescenses 10-20(-25) mm wide, very dense, seemingly unbranched, with several leaves appressed underneath, with 20 to numerous capitula arranged in scarcely detectable clusters, each containing few to 5 capitula; some individually arranged capitula also present. Peduncles mostly absent, or sometimes up to 2 mm long. Capitula 3(-4, occasionally 5)-flowered, sessile, free from one another but very closely set, only lowermost part of each capitulum hairy, (this is easily seen if the subtending leaves are removed). Involucre cyathiform to narrowly campanulate, apically 1.5-3 mm wide, sometimes up to 4 mm wide at anthesis. Involucral bracts in 3-5 series, of sub-equal length, comparatively thin and membraneous, outermost subfoliaceous to subpetaloid, those inwards petaloid, outermost lanceolate to subspathulate, those inwards narrowly ovate to oblanceolate, all except outermost with narrow to broad hyaline margins, outermost acute to acuminate, those inwards obtuse and rounded or sometimes truncate and then unevenly dentate to slightly emarginate, outermost apically erect, those inwards erect-spreading to erect, all sometimes plicate, outermost with interlocking hairs reaching above the middle of the bract, those inwards mostly glabrous, outermost reddish to whitish, those inwards white, innermost with a stereome about 1.3-2.4 times as long as the lamina. Corolla narrowly cylindrical, sometimes slightly widened above, 3.0-3.8 mm long; lobes erect to erect-spreading. Anthers apically rounded. Cypselas narrowly oblong to narrowly ovoid, 2.0-2.5 mm long, with an indistinct annular ridge, sometimes ridged, dark brown. Pappus bristles with an indistinctly serrate and comparatively broad shaft, apically widened, ± flat and almost entire, mostly obtuse. From: Karis, PO. 1989. Systematics of the genus Metalasia (Asteraceae-Gnaphalieae). Opera Bot. 99: 1-150. [All rights reserved]

Spreading, white-woolly shrublet to 60(-100) cm. Leaves on older branches spreading and twisted, adpressed on young shoots, imbricate and not twisted, 2-12 mm long, without axillary tufts. Flower heads discoid, in dense, terminal clusters, 3- or 4(5)-flowered, bracts slightly spreading, inner petaloid, white. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Asteraceae: Metalasia R.Br. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 395-398. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Diagnostic description

M. capitata is recognized by its proliference of subtending leaves appressed underneath very dense synflorescenses; different foliage on the flowering shoots; comparatively thin and membraneous involucral bracts; and pappus bristles which are comparatively broad apically. It might be confused with M. cephalotes and its close relatives but they differ in the foliage on flowering shoots; the presence of glands; the capitula being much more conspicuously arranged in clusters; distinctly petaloid outermost involucral bracts; and the pappus bristles being less conspicuously broad apically. Further, in M. capitata the capitula are fused mainly by hairs from the many subtending leaves, not by hairs from the involucral bracts, which is generally the case for similar species. From: Karis, PO. 1989. Systematics of the genus Metalasia (Asteraceae-Gnaphalieae). Opera Bot. 99: 1-150. [All rights reserved]

Habitat

It is found from about sea-level, up to 200 m in altitude. From: Karis, PO. 1989. Systematics of the genus Metalasia (Asteraceae-Gnaphalieae). Opera Bot. 99: 1-150. [All rights reserved]

Sandy coastal flats. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Asteraceae: Metalasia R.Br. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 395-398. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Distribution

M. capitata is locally common on sandy flats and low slopes from west of Piquetberg in the north, to around Durbanville in the south. From: Karis, PO. 1989. Systematics of the genus Metalasia (Asteraceae-Gnaphalieae). Opera Bot. 99: 1-150. [All rights reserved]

Piketberg to Paarl. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Asteraceae: Metalasia R.Br. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 395-398. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Flowering time

August

Altitude

0 to 200 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

Names and Sources

Accepted name
Metalasia capitata (Lam.) Less.
Synonym(s)

Gnaphalium capitatum Lam.


Metalasia bolusii L.Bolus


Classification

KINGDOM Plantae

SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae

SUBFAMILY Asteroideae

SPECIES capitata

54 results for Metalasia capitata (Lam.) Less.

Specimen records

Barcode: NBG0249108-0 Collector(s) & number: C.R.E.W., CR3224 | 2008-8-22

South Africa, Western Cape, Malmesbury region. Riverlands, middle road next to road on W side, seasonally wetland area. 33°29'37.2"S 18°35'26.2"E.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0027196-0 Collector(s) & number: Henrici, MGA, 3742 | 1944-9-11

South Africa, Western Cape, Malmesbury Dist. Pampoenvlei, Darling.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0689456-0 Collector(s) & number: De Kock, AE, 22 | 1983-10-2

South Africa, Western Cape, STELLENBOSCHBERG; N SLOPE BEHIND COETZENBURG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0272675-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 6853 | 2010-8-14

South Africa, Western Cape, Engelsman se Baken, Bakenskop area south of Barkatsfontein. 32°40'00"S: 18°30'00"E. Altitude: 550 m.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0234205-0 Collector(s) & number: Morris, S, s.n. | 2001-9-20

South Africa, Western Cape, Lower Tokai Forest corner near Dennendal Avenue West and Orpen Road.

General notes: In area where pines were felled ±5 years ago. Up to 45 cm.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0119779-0 Collector(s) & number: Bremer, K, 212 | 1972-9-24

South Africa, Western Cape, Malmesbury Div. N of road between Mamreweg and Maryka, 100 m. 33°33'S 18°26'E.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0207616-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 4389 | 2006-8-16

South Africa, Western Cape, N of Piketberg Mountain, 2 km NW of Bovlei se Berg, east of Papkuilsvlei. 32°38'58.2"S & 18°38'29.0"E.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0032027-0 Collector(s) & number: Barker, WF, 8091 | 1953-9-15

South Africa, Western Cape, Piquetberg Dist. Near Sauer.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0861636-0 Collector(s) & number: Koekemoer, M, 4277 | 2012-8-2

South Africa, Western Cape, Piketberg, just outside the Goedverwacht village.

General notes: No slope. Locally abundant. Also on slopes higher up the mountain. Very dense, compact, entangled shrubs.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0841675-0 Collector(s) & number: Morris, S, PRE 841675 | 2001-9-20

South Africa, Western Cape, Simonstown. Lower Tokai Forest corner near Dennendal Avenue West & Orpen Road.

General notes: In area where pines were felled ± 5 years ago. Up to 45 cm.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0221838-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 5700 | 2008-10-8

South Africa, Western Cape, 2 km NW of Chatworth, Mickiel Heyns Kraal 755. 33°32'01.3"S: 18°34'48.2"E. Altitude: 120 m.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0542431-0 Collector(s) & number: Boucher, C, 3887 | 1978-7-26

South Africa, Western Cape, GROENFONTEIN FARM; BETW. HOPEFIELD & DARLING W. OF RIVER

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0234226-0 Collector(s) & number: Lewis, GJ, SAM 62730 | 1953-9-15

South Africa, Western Cape, Piketberg Div. 2.3 miles S of Sauer.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0175423-0 Collector(s) & number: Lewis, GJ, SAM 62730 | 1953-9-15

South Africa, Western Cape, PIQUETBERG DIV.; SAUER; 2.5 MI. S. OF SAUER

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0234215-0 Collector(s) & number: Boucher, C, 3887 | 1978-7-26

South Africa, Western Cape, Between Hopefield and Darling, west of river on Groenfontein Farm.

General notes: Alt. 35 m. Transition Malmesbury shale; recent sand. Veld Type 47. Very rare, divaricate dwarf shrub 50 cm tall. White/cream flowers.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0234220-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Zyl, L, 3204 | 1982-9-16

South Africa, Western Cape, Post Office property with Radio masts - just N of Klipheuwel.

General notes: Fynbos on sandy soil, slight slope, NW aspect. Occasional, scattered shrublets to 40 cm tall. Heads white.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0798457-0 Collector(s) & number: Karis, PO, 35 | 1980-11-7

South Africa, Western Cape, Malmesburg District: Flats c. 1km South of Mamre, near turnoff to Atlantis.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0654776-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Zyl, L, 3496 | 1983-9-15

South Africa, Western Cape, KLAPMUTS; NEAR GROENFONTEIN ON RECENTLY BURNT AREA

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0613231-0 Collector(s) & number: Boucher, C, 4543 | 1979-8-31

South Africa, Western Cape, MALMESBURY DIST.; BURGERS POST FARM, NEAR PELLA FYNBOS BIOME RESEARCH SITE

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0177229-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Rensburg, WLJ, 2054 | 1960-10-13

South Africa, Western Cape, STELLENBOSCH DIV.; SWARTBOSKLOOF

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0190814-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 2035 | 2001-8-8

South Africa, Western Cape, Malmesbury. Westerrn Perdeberg, ± 15 km SSE Malmesbury, farm Brauwerskloof 871, next to Klein Morgenwag. 33°35'36" S, 18°45'31"E.

General notes: Uncommon.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0277474-0 Collector(s) & number: Nicholson, G, 922 | 2012-8-24

South Africa, Western Cape, Paardeberg, between Wellington & Malmesbury. Helpmekaar, ±1 km W of farm house. 33.54344' S; 18.80041' E.

General notes: Fynbos biome. Boland Granite Fynbos vegetation. Gentle, mountain slope. Well-drained, loam soil. Granite. Full sun. E aspect. No biotic effect seen. Shrub. Flowers white. Leaves needlelike, margins rolled over, clustered, dense. Plant height ±0.5 cm. Rocky areas.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0234208-0 Collector(s) & number: Emdon, IM, 18 | 1977-8-31

South Africa, Western Cape, 1 km N of Pella.

General notes: Fynbos - recently burnt. Common shrub. White heads. Up to 50 cm tall.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0249099-0 Collector(s) & number: Von Witt, C, CR3513 | 2008-10-8

South Africa, Western Cape, Piketberg. Sterkfontein Campsite approx. 5 km S of farmhouse. 32°48.037'S 18°32.888'E.

General notes: Alt. 73 m. Fynbos. Sandplain fynbos. Plain. Sandstone. Well-drained sand. Shrub. 3 florets.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0032028-0 Collector(s) & number: Compton, RH, 24327 | 1953-9-28

South Africa, Western Cape, Malmesbury Dist. Mamre.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0196560-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 2575 | 2002-9-26

South Africa, Western Cape, Paarl. Eensaamheid (Briers Louw) Nature Reserve, 10 km west of Paarl, Farm 469. 33°45.994'S. 18°50.023'E.

General notes: Fynbos biome. Sandplain Fynbos/Renosterveld transition. Valley. Well-drained, sandy, loam, soil. Shale. Full sun. No slope. No biotic effect seen. Shrub. Involucral bracts white. Flowers and fruit present. Plant height 0.6 m. Very local, rare. Veld >20 years old. Sandy loams.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0209853-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 4866 | 2007-9-31

South Africa, Western Cape, Piketberg Mountain, 2 km N of Goedverwacht on road to Januariesfontein. 32°51'05.3" S; 18°41'45.1" E.

General notes: Fynbos biome. Gentle, mountain slope. Well-drained, sandy, stony soil. Sandstone. Full sun. SE aspect. No biotic effect seen. Shrub. Bracts white and brown. Fruit present. Plant height 0.4 m. Uncommon. Veld >15 years old. Sandy loams.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0207597-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 3976 | 2006-7-24

South Africa, Western Cape, Joostenberg Kloof 1294, 100 m N of R 310, NW of main hill. 33°45'51.7"S & 18°46'20.9"E.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0249111-0 Collector(s) & number: COLNO: 16549, 1264 | 2007-10-2

South Africa, Western Cape, Darling. Waylands Reserve. 33°24'44.7"S 18°25'02.2"E.

General notes: Fynbos. Gentle hill slope. Well-drained grey-brown loamy, sand soil. Heavily grazed. Locally occasional unknown perennial tussock, shrub with pink flowers. 3 florets, pappus bracts apically expanded.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0641302-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Zyl, L, 3204 | 1982-9-16

South Africa, Western Cape, KLIPHEUWEL; POST OFFICE PROPERTY WITH RADIO MASTS - JUST N OF KLIPHEUWEL

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0027197-0 Collector(s) & number: Compton, RH, 7937 | 1938-8-21

South Africa, Western Cape, Malmesbury Dist. Yzerfontein.

General notes: White flowers.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0234209-0 Collector(s) & number: Bosenberg, 59 | 1986-8-27

South Africa, Western Cape, Pella Research Site.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0628932-0 Collector(s) & number: O'Callaghan, MG, 232 | 1982-8-16

South Africa, Western Cape, BOT RIVER VLEI

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0027195-0 Collector(s) & number: Compton, RH, 18148 | 1946-8-14

South Africa, Western Cape, Cape. Mamre road 23 miles from Cape Town.

General notes: White flowers.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0027194-0 Collector(s) & number: Rycroft, HB, 1926 | 1956-6-8

South Africa, Western Cape, Malmesbury Dist. Darling Flora Reserve.

General notes: Flowers white and brown.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0234207-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Zyl, L, 3496 | 1983-9-15

South Africa, Western Cape, Near Groenfontein, Klapmuts.

General notes: Alt. c. 500 ft. Level, sandy area, fynbos overgrazed, burnt recently. Occasional shrublet. Heads white.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0175422-0 Collector(s) & number: Acocks, JPH, 14533 | 1948-6-26

South Africa, Western Cape, PIQUETBERG DIV.; SAUER P.O.; 3 MI. WN. OF SAUER PO.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0196586-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 2558 | 2002-9-23

South Africa, Western Cape, Malmesbury. 2 km S of Malmesbury, west of N7 near Abbotsdale. 33°29.578'S, 18°39.980'E.

General notes: Fynbos biome. Renosterveld/Sandplain Fynbos transition. Gentle, hill slope. Well-drained, sandy, soil. Shale. Full sun. E aspect. Roadside. Shrub. Involucral bracts white. Plants slightly decumbent. Flowers and fruit present. Plant height 0.6 m. Fairly common on sands over shale, with ferricrete elements.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0234206-0 Collector(s) & number: van Niekerk, JJ, 5 | 1958-10-

South Africa, Western Cape, Aurora. Within the town.

General notes: Sandy soil.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG1478660-0 Collector(s) & number: Helme, NA, 8233a | 2014-10-21

South Africa, Western Cape, 10 km N of Aurora; Rietvlei 19.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Observation records

Date: 9/2/2021 10:29:00 AM

Western Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Barcode: WAG.1344628 | Collector(s) & number: Zyl L van , Zyl, L van 3204 | 1982-09-16

South Africa

Data Resource: https://ror.org/0566bfb96 View record

Barcode: L.3665256 | Collector(s) & number: Sieber , Sieber s.n. |

South Africa

Data Resource: https://ror.org/0566bfb96 View record

Date: 9/2/2021 10:36:00 AM

Western Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 10/1/2021 10:42:00 AM

Western Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 10/6/2021 12:43:00 PM

Western Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 8/31/2021 3:04:00 PM

Western Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 10/25/2020 5:56:00 AM

Western Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 1/28/2022 11:04:36 AM

Western Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 3/30/2022 12:54:00 PM

Western Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 4/29/2022 9:43:00 AM

Western Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 9/28/2020 3:08:00 PM

Western Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist 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:

2012

SERIES CHAPTER

Asteraceae: Metalasia R.Br. Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P

In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 395-398

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

1989

PERIODICAL/JOURNAL

Systematics of the genus Metalasia (Asteraceae-Gnaphalieae) Karis, PO

Opera Botanica a Societate Botanica Lundensi 99: 1-150

No results found for Metalasia capitata (Lam.) Less.

Status

Status and criteria

VU

Assessor(s)

Plantae Coordinator

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

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