Holothrix in the George area
@tonyrebelo @jeremygilmore @justinponder2505 @ren_hoekstra @malthinus @sedgesrock @milewski @christiaan_viljoen
Today I have a challenge- a question that needs answering. Here it is:
Many people have noted the odd forms of Holothrix in the Outeniquas/George area, in particular H. brevipetala, H. exilis and H. villosa var. condensata. They grow long, slender, reed-like peduncles/stalks and the flowers are well spaced on the inflorescence.
As examples-
Villosa var. condensata:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107879164
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102705460
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10825517
A more robust form: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107879163
Brevipetala:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11188064
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11188047
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/21943295
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/104707154
Exilis- records very sparse:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11224432
Now- the usual forms:
Villosa var. condensata:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/104722684
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/104190741
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11171000
Brevipetala:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103585361
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59859659
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80237415
Exilis:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/11233801
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/17320561
The obvious question is "Why do they grow like this here and only here?"
In brevipetala the tall form seems to extend along the Cape Fold Mountains, but the reed-like form of exilis is rare and sporadic, and villosa var. condensata is even more patchy, though locally common in spots.
We should attempt to answer this question by asking "What is different about the Outeniquas?"
In other words....
Do the pollinators fly higher?
Is the weather more ideal for such growth?
Is there less wind?
Etc...
Any suggestions?