Erepsia lacera fruit capsule

The woody fruit capsule of Erepsia lacera seen from the top is an intricate affair with appeal that might inspire car manufacturers when designing hubcaps. Circular when viewed from the top, this structure is funnel-shaped seen from the side.

Ten locules is a high number on fruits in a genus mostly producing five, the maximum seen in Erepsia being 13. There are sharp tips on the expanded keels and covering membranes on the locules, but no closing bodies are present in Erepsia. The seeds are dark brown and ovoid.

There is a videoclip on YouTube that shows the rapid opening of an E. lacera fruit capsule when water is poured over it (www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2JA9_E8Cvc; Smith, et al, 1998; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot; www.plantzafrica.com).