Seed morphology and colour variation in derotinous Cape Proteaceae

Gibson, Stephen

Seed morphology and colour variation in derotinous Cape Proteaceae

Bachelor Thesis

1999

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

I investigated seed colour polymorphism in Leucadendron is investigated for the possibility of crypsis in a post fire environment. Results were inconclusive, possibly due to a missed opportunity, but do not exclude the possibility of crypsis. Seed predation by birds may be an as yet undescribed and significant phenomenon. Seed morphology and its impact on second phase dispersal is little known, except in a few cases. This was investigated in a comparison of hairy brown Protea and black winged Leucadendron seeds. This showed that these two types of seed tend to germinate in different habitats. This has implications for interspecific competition and species distribution limits.

Keywords

Botany

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