Elytropappus rhinocerotis

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Cladus: Campanulids
Ordo: Asterales

Familia: Asteraceae
Subfamilia: Asteroideae
Tribus: Gnaphalieae
Genus: Elytropappus
Species: Elytropappus rhinocerotis
Name

Elytropappus rhinocerotis (L.f.) Less.
Synonyms

Elytropappus cernuus (Thunb.) Fourc.
Helichrysum rhinocerotis (L. fil.) Herb. Berol. ex Steud.
Seriphium cernuum (Thunb.) Pers.
Seriphium rhinocerotis (L. fil.) Pers.
Stoebe cernua Thunb.
Stoebe cupressina Rchb. ex DC.
Stoebe rhinocerotis L. fil.

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Africa
Regional: Southern Africa
South Africa (Cape Prov.)

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References

Less., Synopsis Generum Compositarum Earumque Dispositionis Novae Tentamen Monographiis Multarum Capensium Interjectis... Berolini [Berlin] 344. 1832

Links

International Plant Names Index. 2018. Elytropappus rhinocerotis. Published online. Accessed: January 12 2018.
The Plant List 2013. Elytropappus rhinocerotis in The Plant List Version 1.1. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2018 January 12.
Tropicos.org 2018. Elytropappus rhinocerotis. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2018 January 12.
Hassler, M. 2018. Elytropappus rhinocerotis. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2018. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published on the internet. Accessed: 2018 January 12. Reference page.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Elytropappus rhinocerotis in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 28-Oct-07.

Vernacular names
English: Renosterbos, Rhinoceros bush

Elytropappus rhinocerotis (commonly known as renosterbos or "rhinoceros bush") is a species of flowering plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae, endemic to South Africa. It is a very obvious component of the unique Renosterveld Vegetation Type, which is named after this bush.

Distribution

Although the Renosterveld Vegetation Type is confined to the South-Western Cape of South Africa, the Renosterbos plant is much more widespread - occurring throughout the Cape Floristic Region and further, as far east as Molteno in the Eastern Cape, and as far north as Namibia. Renosterbos is also relatively common in this area, unlike most plants associated with Renosterveld vegetation.

As a consequence of livestock finding the plant relatively inedible, the Elytropappus rhinocerotis has spread in heavily grazed areas and increased in numbers relative to other (more easily grazed) plants.
Uses

Elytropappus rhinocerotis is a medicinal plant in traditional African medicine. The young tips of the branches are used in traditional medicine to treat indigestion and stomach ulcers. The foliage tips are now usually added to wine or brandy for such medicinal consumption.[1]
Renosterbos bush (juvenile), in a Cape Town garden.
Cultivation

Elytropappus rhinocerotis is cultivated as an ornamental plant for South African native plant, drought tolerant, and wildlife gardens. It is also planted in natural landscaping and habitat restoration projects.

A cultivar, which has a strikingly crisp, pure-white colour, is usually grown in gardens more than the direct species.
References

"Elytropappus rhinocerotis (L.f.) Less".