PLANTAE / PHANEROGAMAE / ANTHOPHYTA / PROTEALES / PROTEACEAE / PROTEOIDEAE / LEUCADENDREAE / MIMETES / ARGENTEUS

Mimetes argenteus Salisb. ex Knight
EN Indigenous Endemic
Morphological description

An erect shrub of open growth habit, usually to 2 m, occasionally up to 3.5 m, with a single main trunk up to 80 mm in diam.; branched near base; bark thin, smooth, grey. Branches erect, rather sparsely branched, 6-10 mm in diam., densely velutinous initially, tending to glabrescent later. Leaves elliptic to broadly elliptic, held at right angles to branches, 40-65 mm long, 18-36 mm wide, densely silvery-sericeous, margins sericeously ciliate; entire, apices acute, terminating in a single apical callosity, very rarely tridentate. Inflorescence broadly cylindric, 80-150 mm long, 100-120 mm wide, not clearly differentiated from flowering shoot at anthesis, the terminal leaves reduced, oblong, silvery-pink, forming an erect to suberect coma. Capitula 6-9-flowered, subtending leaf flat, held at right angles to stem, flushed deep carmine to pale mauve at base but otherwise undifferentiated. Involucral bracts ovate-obtuse, 7-15 mm long, 5-8 mm wide, tightly clasping perianths, cartilaginous, becoming woody in fruiting stage, outer surface puberulous but margins minutely ciliate, carmine in live state; inner series narrowly oblong, 10-12 mm long, 2 mm wide, very densely sericeous. Floral bracts linear-oblong, acute, 8-10 mm long, 1 mm wide, very densely sericeous. Perianth 25-30 mm long; tube glabrous, slightly inflated; claws filiform, densely adpressed sericeous; limbs linear-acute, 10 mm long, sparsely sericeous. Style straight, filiform, 40-45 mm long. Pollen presenter linear-acute, 7-8 mm long, slightly geniculate at junction with style, stigmatic groove terminal. Ovary ovoid-puberulous, 2 mm long. Hypogynous scales linear-subulate, 2-3 mm long. Fruits ovoid 7-8 mm long, 5 mm wide. Flowering takes place between March and June. During flowering and especially for a few months thereafter, the inflorescence leaves subtending each axillary capitulum, became suffused with pinkish-mauve to carmine pigments, especially in their axils, creating a most arresting effect. From: Rourke, JP. 1984. A revision of the genus Mimetes Salisb. (Proteaceae). J. S. African Bot. 50(2): 171-236. [CC BY]

Single-stemmed shrub to 3.5 m. Leaves spreading, silvery silky, elliptic; inflorescence leaves spooned, carmine to pale mauve. Flower heads in terminal spikes, pink, involucral bracts woody, style yellow, pollen presenter needle-like. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Proteaceae. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 657-681. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Diagnostic description

The only other Mimetes with which this species could possibly be confused is M. arboreus. Marked differences in growth habit easily distinguish them in the field since M. argenteus is a one to three and a half metre tall shrub with a loose, open, rather sparsely branched growth habit, quite unlike the dense arborescent form of M. arboreus. An unmistakable characteristic of M. argenteus is its tendency to produce straight, vigorous, unbranched shoots up to a metre long, terminating in an inflorescence, yet without forming any side branches.However, the most obvious diagnostic character is the elliptic to broadly elliptic, patent leaves, produced at right angles to the branches. The perianth length is also distinctive, being from 25-30 mm in length, somewhat shorter than the 30-40 mm long perianths in Mimetes arboreus. It is also worth noting that the inflorescence leaves subtending each axillary capitulum, remain flat and undifferentiated during flowering, apart from becoming brightly suffused with carmine basally. From: Rourke, JP. 1984. A revision of the genus Mimetes Salisb. (Proteaceae). J. S. African Bot. 50(2): 171-236. [CC BY]

Habitat

Mountain fynbos on steep Table Mountain Sandstone slopes is the usual habitat favoured by Mimetes argenteus. It is an exclusively montane species occurring on mesic sites of southerly or south easterly aspect. In such situations shadows are long, precipitation generous (up to as much as 2500 mm Per year at some localities) while atmospheric humidity is relatively high throughout the year. Most populations are found at middle levels; rarely in the lower foothills or on the uppermost slopes but rather within a zone lying between six hundred and one thousand metres above sea level. Occasionally scattered outliers are found at elevations up to one thousand five hundred metres, but such examples are exceptional.Although Mimetes argenteus obviously favours cooler sites, it is usually found in very well-drained situations on coarse, gravelly, heavily weathered Table Mountain Sandstone in association with ericoid and restioid fynbos. Occasionally, populations occur on deeper soils where black peaty deposits, highly acid in character, have formed in seepage areas. Here again, these sites are well drained. From: Rourke, JP. 1984. A revision of the genus Mimetes Salisb. (Proteaceae). J. S. African Bot. 50(2): 171-236. [CC BY]

Moist, S-facing slopes. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Proteaceae. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 657-681. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Distribution

The distribution range of Mimetes argenteus' forms a gentle arc in the south western Cape mountains, from Verkykerskop near Sir Lowry's Pass, along the southern and south eastern slopes of the Hottentots Holland range above Grabouw and Nuweberg to Bushmans Castle at the southern end of the French Hoek Pass; thence to Aasvoelkop and Blokkop above Villiers-dorp and along the south slopes of the Riviersonderend mountains from Donkerhoek in the west to Appelskraal beyond Riviersonderend at the most easterly extremity of its range. From: Rourke, JP. 1984. A revision of the genus Mimetes Salisb. (Proteaceae). J. S. African Bot. 50(2): 171-236. [CC BY]

Franschhoek to Riviersonderend. From: Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P. 2012. Proteaceae. In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 657-681. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Flowering time

March

Altitude

350 to 1400 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
Mimetes argenteus Salisb. ex Knight

Published in: Cult. Prot.: 67 (1809)

Synonym(s)

Mimetes nitens (Thunb.) Roem. & Schult.

Published in: Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis [Roemer & Schultes] 3: 384 (1818)


Classification

KINGDOM Plantae

SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae

PHYLUM Anthophyta

ORDER Proteales

FAMILY Proteaceae

SUBFAMILY Proteoideae

TRIBE Leucadendreae

GENUS Mimetes

SPECIES argenteus

33 results for Mimetes argenteus Salisb. ex Knight

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Specimen records

Barcode: PRE0456240-0 Collector(s) & number: Kruger, FJ, 1251 | 1971-5-6

South Africa, Western Cape, RIVIERSONDEREND MTS.; PILAARKOP; S. SLOPES

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366899-0 Collector(s) & number: Esterhuysen, EE, PRE 28983 | 1940-7-

South Africa, Western Cape, CALEDON DIST.; MOORDENAARSKOP; NR. VILJOENS PASS

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0104644-0 Collector(s) & number: Rycroft, HB, 1431 | 1952-11-22

South Africa, Western Cape, Stellenbosch Dist. Jonkershoek Forest Reserve. SE of zig-zag pathway above 2nd Waterfalls.

General notes: Only six plants found.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0222731-0 Collector(s) & number: Kruger, FJ, 1251 | 1971-5-6

South Africa, Western Cape, Riviersonderend Mountains. Pilaarkop.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0222727-0 Collector(s) & number: Neethling, STEU NO 26358 | 1945-3-

South Africa, Western Cape, Caledon Dist. Riviersonderend.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0075719-0 Collector(s) & number: Williams, I, 470 | 1964-7-9

South Africa, Western Cape, Caledon Dist. Nieukloof Forest Reserve.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366905-0 Collector(s) & number: Stokoe, TP, PRE 29845 | --

South Africa, Western Cape, HOTTENTOTS HOLLAND M

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0222724-0 Collector(s) & number: Hubbard, CS, 450 | 1937-8-27

South Africa, Western Cape, Elgin Forest Reserve: Block J.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0084062-0 Collector(s) & number: Rourke, JP, 421 | 1966-5-10

South Africa, Western Cape, Caledon Dist. Nieweberg, south slopes of Hottentots Holland.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366887-0 Collector(s) & number: Stokoe, TP, PRE 2728 | 1923-6-

South Africa, Western Cape, HOTTENTOTS HOLLAND M; CALEDON DIST.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0222723-0 Collector(s) & number: Richfield, M, s.n. | 1970-7-13

South Africa, Western Cape, Mountains above Greyton.

General notes: 35 plants seen.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0158204-0 Collector(s) & number: Oliver, EGH, 10928 | 1997-10-28

South Africa, Western Cape, Riviersonderend Mtns; Pilaarkop, lower SW slopes of peak.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366902-0 Collector(s) & number: Marloth, HWR, 13447 | 1927-7-

South Africa, Western Cape, ZONDEREINDE MTS.; ZONDEREND P.O.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: SAM0057378-0 Collector(s) & number: Stokoe, TP, s.n. | 1940-7-

South Africa, Western Cape, Caledon Div. Hottentot Holland Mountain. Langkloofberg.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0104643-0 Collector(s) & number: Loos, MA, s.n. | 1955-9-

South Africa, Western Cape, Stellenbosch Dist. Langkloofberg(Hottentots Holland Mountains).

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366906-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Breda, 1876 | 1965-6-24

South Africa, Western Cape, VILLIERSDORP DIST.; DRAKENSTEIN MTS

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0222720-0 Collector(s) & number: Stehle, TC, TS.119 | 1969-5-21

South Africa, Western Cape, Nuweberg Forest Reserve. Source of Palmiet River.

General notes: Common and abundant but restricted to area.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0808714-0 Collector(s) & number: Stehle, TC, TS 119 | 1969-5-21

South Africa, Western Cape, Grabouw Dist: Nuweberg Forest Reserve; source of Palmiet River.

General notes: Det:F.J.Kruger

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0222722-0 Collector(s) & number: Stehle, TC, TS 37 | 1969-5-10

South Africa, Western Cape, Elgin Forest Reserve. Moordenaarskop.

General notes: Fairly common locally.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366888-0 Collector(s) & number: de Villiers, PH, 9851 | 1920-4-

South Africa, Western Cape, PAARL DIV.; FRANSCHHOEK MTS.; TOWARDS VILLIERSDORP

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366903-0 Collector(s) & number: Stokoe, TP, 2127 | 1930-4-

South Africa, Western Cape, ZONDEREINDE MTS.; CALEDON DIST.; OUDEBOS

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366904-0 Collector(s) & number: Marloth, HWR, 9498 | 1920-7-

South Africa, Western Cape, CAPE TOWN

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0105619-0 Collector(s) & number: Rycroft, HB, 2217 | 1960-4-15

South Africa, Western Cape, Caledon Dist. Aasvogelkop, eastern slopes Villiersdorp.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0115924-0 Collector(s) & number: Williams, I, 2502 | 1978-5-23

South Africa, Western Cape, Bredasdorp Div. Groothagelkraal.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0122824-0 Collector(s) & number: Rourke, JP, 1712 | 1981-5-23

South Africa, Western Cape, Blokkop above Villiersdorp.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0077751-0 Collector(s) & number: Unknown, s.n. | 1964-8-24

South Africa, Western Cape, Caledon Dist. This is very close to M. integra, said to come from the vicinity of Rooi Els.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366889-0 Collector(s) & number: Stokoe, TP, PRE 28984 | 1935-5-

South Africa, Western Cape, CALEDON DIST.; ELGIN VELD RES.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0122826-0 Collector(s) & number: Rourke, JP, 1535 | 1976-5-5

South Africa, Western Cape, Nuweberg Forest Reserve. Hottentots Holland mountains. Dwarsberg. Above upper reaches of the Riviersonderend source.

General notes: Occasional. Drawn by Thalia Lincoln.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366885-0 Collector(s) & number: Boucher, C, 1261 | 1970-5-12

South Africa, Western Cape, SPINNEKOPNES MTS.; KOGELBERG FOR. RES.; N. EXTREMITY OF RANGE NR. BOEGOEKLOOF

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366886-0 Collector(s) & number: Hallack, R, PRE 28985 | --

South Africa, Western Cape, HOTTENTOTS HOLLAND M; STELLENBOSCH DIV.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366890-0 Collector(s) & number: Stokoe, TP, PRE 28981 | --

South Africa, Western Cape, ELGIN; NUWEBERG VELD RES.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0366900-0 Collector(s) & number: Pillans, NS, PRE 28982 | 1920-7-10

South Africa, Western Cape, HOTTENTOTS HOLLAND

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG0122186-0 Collector(s) & number: Rourke, JP, 1708 | 1981-5-12

South Africa, Western Cape, Donkerhoek mountains at Nooitgedacht farm.

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:

2012

SERIES CHAPTER

Proteaceae Manning, JC; Goldblatt, P

In: J Manning & P Goldblatt (eds), Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape flora. Strelitzia 29: 657-681

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

1984

PERIODICAL/JOURNAL

A revision of the genus Mimetes Salisb. (Proteaceae) Rourke, JP

Journal of South African Botany 50(2)171-236

1924

PERIODICAL/JOURNAL

Mimetes argenteus Knight Phillips, EP; Gower, SI

Flowering Plants of South Africa 4: , t.128

No results found for Mimetes argenteus Salisb. ex Knight

Status

Status and criteria

EN

Assessor(s)

Plantae Coordinator

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