For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Calopsis (Calopsis paniculata)
Family Restionaceae
Calopsis paniculata
is a tall reed like plant with bright green leaves and stems reaching a height
of 3m. It bears clusters of brown grass-like flowers at the terminal ends of
the stems. The male and female parts are borne on separate plants, with the
female plants bearing small snowy white inflorescences and the male plants
bearing less showy inflorescences. The stems arise out of the ground from a
strong underground rhizome with the lower parts of the stem looking somewhat
bamboo-like.
As is the case with most restios, calopsis is wind
pollinated, relying on the wind to carry the pollen from the male to the female
plant. It is therefore necessary to plant several specimens reasonably close
together if you wish to harvest seed.
Calopsis is often used for the making of brooms in the
Eastern Cape province as it has shorter branches and more wiry stems than many
of the other Cape reeds, which are more often used for thatching.
