''Berzelia'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
consisting of 12
species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
of upright, wiry-stemmed,
evergreen
In botany, an evergreen is a plant which has Leaf, foliage that remains green and functional throughout the year. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which lose their foliage completely during the winter or dry season. Consisting of many diffe ...
shrub
A shrub or bush is a small to medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees by their multiple ...
s from
Cape Provinces
The Cape Provinces of South Africa is a biogeographical area used in the World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions (WGSRPD). It is part of the WGSRPD region 27 Southern Africa. The area has the code "CPP". It includes the Sou ...
in South Africa.
The genus was first published and described in Ann. Sci. Nat. (Paris) vol.8 on page 370 in 1826.
Description
They have a dense covering of small, fine, needle-like leaves. The flowers which appear in spring and summer, are minute but are packed in spherical clusters, of which there are several per head of bloom. The flowers are white to cream and, because the
stamens
The stamen (: stamina or stamens) is a part consisting of the male reproductive organs of a flower. Collectively, the stamens form the androecium., p. 10
Morphology and terminology
A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filamen ...
extend beyond the tiny petals, the flower heads appear to be studded with protrusions.
In cultivation, they are best grown in light well-drained soil with adequate moisture, positioning in full sun. Light trimming will retain the compact form after flowering. Most species are easily propagated from seed or small half-hardened tip cuttings.
Species
As accepted by
Plants of the World Online
Plants of the World Online (POWO) is an online taxonomic database published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
History
Following the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew launched Plants of the World Online i ...
;
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Berzelia abrotanoides''
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Berzelia albiflora''
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Berzelia alopecuroides''
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Berzelia arachnoidea''
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Berzelia burchellii''
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Berzelia commutata''
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Berzelia cordifolia''
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Berzelia dregeana''
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Berzelia ecklonii''
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Berzelia galpinii''
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Berzelia incurva''
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Berzelia intermedia''
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Berzelia lanuginosa''
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Berzelia rubra''
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Berzelia squarrosa''
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Berzelia stokoei''
References
Other sources
Botanica Sistematica
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4896125
Bruniaceae
Asterid genera
Taxa named by Adolphe-Théodore Brongniart
Flora of the Cape Provinces
Plants described in 1826