Trail Log 1995-1997 - Lamar at Colorado State University

66
Fynbos:
The main growth forms are:
--restioid. evergreen, somewhat grasslike, solid round stems with joins, suggestive of rush or
sedge. From family Restionaceae, genus Restio. Fynbos has 310 species in Restionaceae, and
203 species in Cyperaceae (sedge). We walked through restioid growth all day. Restionaceae is
almost confined to the Southern Hemisphere, principally South Africa and Australia. It is closely
related to Juncaceae (rushes), but the flowers have a pendulous ovule and are unisexual, mostly
dioecious. Superficially, they resemble Cyperaceae and where they are numerous in South Africa
and Australia they take the place of grasses in the vegetation. The family probably originated in
Australia, at least the most primitive members are there. Flowers in spikelets, the male ones with
glume-like segments and three anthers. The female flowers have a superior ovary, 1-3 locules, and
ovules that are pendulous from the apex. Juncaceae have perfect flowers, 3 or 6-merous, and
ovules ascending or parietal. Perhaps two-thirds of the species worldwide are in the Cape flora.
--proteoid. Like Protea
--ericoid. Like Erica, or heath-like. small leaves, heather like, often purplish or pink flowers, bell
shaped.
International biologists visiting the fynbos are often struck with the lack of animals. No large
mammals are seen roaming about, few bird calls can be heard, and one does not need insect proof
netting to sleep at night. It can seem that this corner of Africa is a botanical wonderland and a
zoological desert. But there are many more inconspicuous animal and plant interactions.
Especially common is seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory), thought to be common where
nutrients are low, seeds are expensive to produce and rodents are likely to eat seeds on the
ground. Ants carry the seeds underground.
Another factor is fire-stimulated germination. Many of the seeds have to be smoked and/or burned
to grow well. Many plants are serotinous, fruiting heads remain on the plant and open up only after
fires.
There are few fleshy fruited species.
Many species have hard leaves, schlerophylly. This seem to be the reason why there are not many
butterflies.
August 14. Monday.
We drove to Cape Town and rode the cable car up Table Mountain. Reasonably good day, but
hazy in the distance. Shopping also.
Went to the Rhodes Monument.
August 15. Tuesday.
Full day of meetings, and lecture in the afternoon. Spoke to the debating club at their banquet that
evening.