The genus Mimetes is one of the most beautiful of the protea
family and indeed in the whole of the Cape Floral Kingdom. R. A.
Salisbury established the genus using the Greek word mimetes
meaning 'to imitate'. This is probably a reference to the foliage,
which is similar in shape, size and arrangement to other genera
such as Leucospermum, the pincushions. Many of the species
are so splendid and rare that they became the subjects of a special
collector's edition on Mimetes with descriptions and plates
of superb paintings by Thalia Lincoln. The irony of this is that
no sooner had Dr. John Rourke completed his taxonomic account and
published the collector's edition of this high profile genus than
a splendid new species was discovered.
Discovery of Mimetes chrysanthus
chrysanthus was first seen by Mr Willie Julies, a game guard
at the Gamka Mountain Reserve, while on patrol in the reserve in
September 1987. His keen interest and meticulous observation and
recording of plants and events in the wilderness led to the discovery
of this most unusual new Mimetes. He reported that he had
seen an unusual woody shrub with spectacular yellow flowers to the
Reserve Manager, Mr. Rory Allardice. Rory pressed a flowering specimen
and sent it to 'fynbos expert' Mr. Jan Vlok of the Saasveld Herbarium
at George. Jan immediately recognised it to be a new species and
sent it on to Dr John Rourke of the Compton Herbarium. John Rourke
and John Winter, the Curator of Kirstenbosch, visited the reserve
in April 1988 and collected specimens for the herbarium and for
cultivation in the gardens. John Rourke confirmed that this was
indeed a new species and also that it was considerably different
from all other Mimetes. This obviously caused much excitement
and interest in many quarters.
chrysanthus is unlike all the other Mimetes on account
of the unique structure and number of its flowers. In all Mimetes
the flower groups (capitula) are arranged in the axils of leaves
near the ends of the branches, like a bottlebrush. Mimetes chrysanthus
typically has many more flowers (25 - 35 flowers) in each flower
group (capitulum) than any of the other species. Its closest rival,
Mimetes saxatilis, has 14 - 22 flowers in each capitulum
whereas all other Mimetes only have from 4 - 14 flowers in
In nature it forms a sturdy, erect, sparsely branched shrub on
a single trunk and grows to between 1,5 - 2 m tall. The leaves are
medium sized, pale to olive-green and closely associated with the
branches and upper stems. The lower trunk and branches are often
bare. The flower groups are luminous golden-yellow in colour giving
rise to its name chrysanthus meaning golden flower (from
the Greek chrysos meaning gold and anthos a flower).
Distribution, Habitat and Biology
Mimetes chrysanthus was originally thought to be restricted
to a few scattered populations in the Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve.
A second population has since been discovered 50km to the east on
a mountain ridge situated inland of the main Outeniqua range. Extensive
exploration by Protea Atlas members has not extended the distribution
beyond these two localities.
The Gamka Mountain is a southeasterly extension of
the Rooiberg and effectively one of the mountains that form fynbos
islands in the little Karoo between the Langeberg and Great Swartberg.
The plants grow in full sunlight on moderately steep southeast facing
slopes at an altitude range of 800 -1040m. They grow in nutrient
poor, well-drained, rocky soils derived from Table Mountain sandstone
and receive an annual rainfall of between 400 and 450mm.
The main flowering season extends from March to May or June, but
intermittent flowering takes place throughout the year. The brilliant
yellow flowers emit a faint sweet scent. Fruits take approximately
8 months to reach maturity and are shed in December. Indigenous
ants collect the seeds and store them underground in their nests.
They remain there until after fire has cleared the vegetation and
then germinate. John Rourke noted orange-breasted sunbirds and carpenter
bees foraging in the flower heads and yet the flowers yield too
little nectar to make collecting it worth while. On the other hand
copious quantities of pollen are produced and this appears to be
the main attraction. John Rourke suggests that bees might be the
main pollinators of this species.
The leaves of plants at the second locality behind the Outeniqua
Mountains were quite badly damaged by snout beetle activity. A number
of these beetles were found eating leaves during the middle of the
day (personal observation).
Growing Mimetes chrysanthus
Cutting material of Mimetes chrysanthus was collected in
April 1988 and easily rooted by the Kirstenbosch plant propagator
Margaret Thomas. Fresh hardened off tip or heel cuttings root best.
The cuttings were rooted in a medium consisting of equal parts milled
pine bark and polystyrene balls for drainage and aeration. Rooting
is improved and accelerated by application of a rooting hormone
to the cut stem and placing the cuttings onto heated benches with
overhead mist spray. Rooted cuttings are allowed to harden-off away
from the mist benches before being planted into a fynbos potting
mixture consisting of equal quantities of composted bark and riversand
and 20% loam.
Mimetes chrysanthus produces plenty of seed, but thus far
has proved difficult to germinate.
Mimetes chrysanthus grows in dry fynbos with low rainfall
it has adapted relatively well to growing at Kirstenbosch with its
much wetter climate. Plants placed on warm sunny slopes or embankments
with good drainage grow very well with little or no supplementary
irrigation. Plants also thrive in heavier clay soils as long as
good drainage is provided.
It appears to be a little more adaptable and resilient than most
its compatriots. We have found that when planted in the garden they
have not performed as well and have often died. We think this is
due to the extra water applied through our irrigation system and
susceptibility to the root fungus phytophthora. We therefore
recommend reducing watering to once a week in summer. Another strategy
could be to graft them onto a more resilient rootstock to overcome
the phytophthora problem.
Cultivated plants flower from February to the beginning of June.
The plants may be pruned after flowering if collection of seed is
not required. Cut back the flowering branches quite hard to about
15cm above the lowest leaves. This will stimulate vigorous sprouting
of new shoots and result in a well branched rounded shrub and increased
flower production in the next season.
Young plants sometimes show dieback or browning on the leaf tips.
This problem should be treated with a fungicide (e.g. Dithane M45
a.i. mancozeb) suitable for treating leaf infections and reducing
Conservation of Mimetes chrysanthus
Mimetes chrysanthus is classified as Rare in the
Red Data List of southern African plants. This means that, although
it has a small population, it is not considered to be Endangered
or Vulnerable but is at risk as some unexpected threat could
cause a critical decline.
In situ conservation
Mimetes chrysanthus is relatively safe in its natural habitat,
protected by the rugged inaccessibility of the terrain in which
it grows. Populations situated within the Gamka Mountain Reserve
are more secure as they fall under the control and management of
the Nature Conservation authorities. The main treat to this species
is from too frequent fire. Fire is known to benefit fynbos by clearing
away old vegetation and helping to stimulate seed germination. If
however, natural vegetation is burnt too often allowing shorter
periods for recovery, woody species such as Mimetes chrysanthus
will die out because they will not have time to produce enough seed.
Ex situ conservation
Plants from both localities are being grown at Kirstenbosch National
Botanical Garden. They are grown for both display and as stock plants.
Plants will be distributed to other Botanic Gardens for their collections.
Some plants have been sent for planting at the Karoo Desert National
Botanical Garden near Worcester in the Western Cape. Seed will be
collected from plants grown at Kirstenbosch and put into long storage
in the Millenium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place in England. This seed
will remain the property of the National Botanical Institute and
is kept as an insurance against possible extinction. Plants have
also been grown and made available for sale at the Annual Plant
Fair. A specialist wholesale grower of fynbos is also growing this
species for sale.
- Rebelo, A. (Tony) Sasol Proteas A Field Guide to the Proteas
of South Africa
- Rourke,J. P. (John) and Lincoln, T. (Thalia) 1982. Mimetes.
An Illustrated Account of Mimetes Salisbury and Orothamnus Pappe
Two Notable Cape Genera of the Proteaceae. 1st. Ed.
- Rourke, J.P. (John), Dec. 1988, Mimetes chrysanthus Veld &
Flora 74(4): 143-145
- Rourke, J.P. (John), New Species of Mimetes (Proteaceae) from
the Southern Cape. South African Journal of Botany 54(6): 636-639
- Rourke, J.P. (John), A Revision of the genus Mimetes Salisb.
(Proteaceae) 1984 J SA Bot. 50 (2): 171-236
- Winter, J (John) and Crous, H. (Hildegarde), Mimetes chrysanthus
makes a spectacular appearance. Veld & Flora 82(1): 27
- Hilton-Taylor, C., 1996, Red Data List of Southern African Plants,
National Botanical Institute, Pretoria
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden