Feb 3, 2011

Dyckia magnifica
This marvel produces the smallest Dyckia seeds. They are not any larger
than this comma here, and their shape is almost the same.
Also this plant is the most extreme wind fertilized Dyckia.
On wind blown top hills insects can not fly easily for a plant to rely on them their surviving.
Smart, isn´t it?
Look, several (three) floral stems and not just a single one. This allows the thin branches contact themselves by brushing against each other by the wind. Pollen are also carried by the wind and also when the wind ceases and the climate is dry enough the insects may do what they best do.

Above. Fertilized flowers.
One can see the female part all exposed out of the protection of the petals.
flowers hand down to avoid water to accumulate inside the flowers.
Southern  mountain tops are windy, cold, cloudy and misty.

Seed pods are already clearly visible.
They are the smallest of the genus Dyckia.





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