We are dealing with large group of Fynbos here, so I felt it suited the theme this week to focus on the family rather than focus on one specific Species. Euryops form part of the Daisy family, or Asteraceae. They are fun to identify as there are so many forms yet they all have somewhat common features. There is such an amazing diversity in this family. What we are looking at in the photo, apart from the creepy crawly, is the Euryops’s, more commonly known as the Daisie. Eurys in Greek means Large, and ops, means eye. According to my identification guide because of the common feature which is a large flowerhead.
I don’t find many references to medicinal or traditional uses for the plant other than in the early days it being used as a substitute for gum, what I would like to focus on this week, is the most often overlooked portion of Fynbos that tends to turn most people away. It’s the small little creepy crawlies which are so critical for the importance of any biome that make the most difference in my opinion.
I was going to insert another photo of a Euryops with a worm on, but they are the one insect that I am not a huge fan of, I would like to focus on the other insect, the much more interesting spider in the photograph. The spider is Thomisidiae Thomisus, or Small Crab Spider. They have the ability to slowly change colour depending on what flower they are sitting on. Masters of the ambush technique, and spiders which do not spin webs, they spend most of their lives on plants, waiting patiently for the next meal. According to my Southern African Spiders identification guide (Filmer, 91):
They appear sluggish and lethargic- only to be transformed into a flash of movement as they pounce on and over prey that strays too near. They rely on touch rather than sight to capture their prey; and on their stillness and coloration to protect them from predators. They are formidable spiders and will attack insects and other spiders much larger than themselves. They have a potent venom which can kill a bee within seconds. Holding the prey in their chelicerae (that’s a fancy name for spider fangs) they literally suck it dry, discarding the empty shell of the insect.
So the next time you are planning on either getting up close and personal for a good sniff or potentially pick any flowers; be warned that you could be getting more than you bargained for. While their venom is not harmful to humans there is no way I want those chelicerae getting anywhere near me or my nose thank you very much.
http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/euryopsannuus.htm
http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/europchrysan.htm
