Seed morphology and colour variation in derotinous Cape Proteaceae

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.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Gibson, Stephen

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Midgley, Jeremy J

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23625

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/23625