Source:
SSA
Description:
Compact, dwarf perennials forming tufts with many branches bearing a cluster of long-lived leaf pairs. Leaves opposite, those of a pair dissimilar, +/- boat-shaped, keeled, flat or slightly convex on upper surface, often widened towards apex and lobed or toothed on margins, light grey to bluish green; epidermis papillate; outer epidermal wall with a thick crystal layer. Flowers solitary, terminal, +/- 60 mm in diameter, with ebracteate pedicel up to 50 mm long; opening around mid-afternoon and staying open until nightfall. Sepals 5, unequal. Petals 1-seriate, light- to golden-yellow, rarely white. Stamens 4-seriate, epapillate. Nectary a crenulate, yellowish green ring. Ovary convex on top; placentas parietal; stigmas 5, greenish, reflexed towards tips. Fruit a 5-locular capsule of Delosperma type; covering membranes vestigial, as narrow ledges spreading from septa, with weak, central column; expanding keels parallel but not touching, yellowish, broadening towards tips; valve wings broad; closing bodies 0. Seeds glittering, minutely textured. x = 9. F lowering in autumn. D istinguishing characters: compact perennials with internodes enclosed by leaves which are asymmetric, toothed, erect, sometimes whitish.
Distribution:
Species 8, occurs in the Northern Cape, from Bushmanland in the east, through the Richtersveld, to the southern parts of Namibia.
Classification:
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