Saturday, May 26, 2012

Spigelia Genuflexa


This brilliant little plant was first discovered in 2009. It's quite little, only standing about an inch in height, but its propagation techniques are quite extraordinary:
When the plant's fruits form, the plant slowly bends its small, fruiting branches down, depositing the seed capsules carefully onto the ground - and sometimes burying them in the soft cover of moss. Geocarpy, which is also practiced by peanut plants, ensures that the seeds will grow into new plants near the mother plant during the following season. (quoted from this LiveScience article)
Its only known habitat exists in the Rio do Negro valley in the Bahia state of Brazil. Localities approximating the Atlantic coastline are known for their varied and rich plant and wildlife. For further information please see the scientific report filed by Alex Popovkin.

Labels: ,

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home