S.R. Cousins

TL;DR: This review provides a synthesis of a wide range of available information on several aspects of aloe ecology, and highlights important opportunities for future research, including aloe distribution, ecophysiology, functional role in the ecosystem, population dynamics, fire tolerance, resprouting, pollination ecology, seed biology, economic botany and conservation.

TL;DR: This is the first known study that attempts to identify the cycad species traded in South African traditional medicine markets in conjunction with the size classes of the specimens in trade.

TL;DR: Viable seed production in Encephalartos populations tends to decline with decreasing population size, and seed predation by weevils is common, so further research is recommended on seed and fire ecology, population dynamics, and the outcomes of conservation interventions.

TL;DR: A strong positive linear relationship between stem diameter and height was used to align SDr and height SCD bins, and to harmonize stage and size classes, and provides insights useful for examining trends in the demographics of other long-lived, slow-growing species.

TL;DR: Investigation of the reproductive ecology of Aloe plicatilis, a Cape fynbos tree aloe endemic to the Cape Winelands, South Africa finds the species' long-tubed flowers and production of concentrated nectar indicate the importance of long-billed specialist avian nectarivores as floral visitors.