Huernia barbata subsp. barbata fruit follicles

Huernia barbata subsp. barbata fruit follicles
Author: Ivan Lätti
Photographer: Louis Jordaan

The fruits of Huernia barbata subsp. barbata are paired, spindle-shaped follicles resembling gemsbok horns. The pair diverges, slightly more nearer their thin, tapering tips. The smooth fruit surfaces in picture have more brown than white patches, randomly spread and streaky. 

The follicles develop long after flowering, sometimes a year later. 

Numerous seeds are released when a ripe follicle dehisces along one side. Each small, brown seed is attached to a plume of long white hairs, facilitating flight in dispersal by wind (Frandsen, 2017; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; White and Sloane, 1937; iNaturalist; http://llifle.com; https://worldofsucculents.com).

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