Caputia is a small genus of succulent flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, placed within the order Asterales. The genus is endemic to South Africa and comprises only five currently accepted species. It is thought to be of possible hybrid origin. Caputia species are herbaceous to subshrubby succulents, many bearing densely white-woolly or felted foliage that gives them a silvery appearance — a trait most conspicuous in Caputia tomentosa, sometimes called the “cocoon plant” or “woolly senecio.” Prior to the segregation of Caputia, all member species were accommodated within the sprawling genus Senecio (family Asteraceae); they were moved to Caputia in a 2015 revision by B. Nordenstam and P.B. Pelser based on morphological and molecular evidence. Accepted species include C. tomentosa, C. scaposa, C. pyramidata, C. oribiensis, and C. medley-woodii.
Distribution
Caputia is endemic to South Africa. The genus has a restricted range within southern Africa, reflecting the region’s high succulent diversity.
Taxonomy Notes
Caputia was segregated from the large, polyphyletic genus Senecio (Asteraceae) following morphological and molecular reassessment. The genus is considered to be of possible hybrid origin. All five accepted species were previously published under Senecio.
