Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Franschhoek silkypuff

Family: Proteaceae (Protea)

Distribution: Western Cape

Habitat: Sandy flats with high water table

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

National red list: Critically Endangered

Life form: Perennial plant

Comments: This species is endemic to the Berg River Valley between Paarl and Franschhoek. It might once have been common in this area, but due to habitat loss caused by vineyard expansion and timber plantations there are now only four subpopulations left and ongoing threats will likely cause further decline. Like many other fynbos species, the seeds of this species are dispersed by ants. Species with ant-dispersed seeds often have seeds that are covered in fleshy, oily attachments known as elaiosomes which attract ants. The ants carry these seeds into their nests, where they eat the fleshy covering off the seeds, leaving the seeds in the nest to germinate.