Argyroderma

Compact, dwarf perennials, rarely tufted, sometimes single-bodied, rarely subterranean, branching from base, each stem or branch with 2 or, when new leaf pairs are forming, 4-6 leaves. Leaves opposite, finger-shaped, hood-shaped, semi-ovoid or semiglobose, united at base, erect or spreading, with upper surface flat or slightly convex, lower surface convex, silvery to grey-green. Flowers solitary, terminal, with a distinct hypanthium into which stamens bend; opening at midday and closing in afternoon. Sepals 6-8, produced above ovary into a short tube. Petals many, arising from top of calyx tube, free, in shades of yellow, purple, or red, rarely white. Stamens many; staminodes 0 or few. Ovary: placentas parietal or basal; stigmas united into a small, entire or slightly crenate and disc-like cushion. Nectary annular. Fruit a 12-25-locular capsule, of Leipoldtia type, broad and shallow; covering membranes rather rigid; closing bodies large, nearly closing outer opening of locules; valve wings rather narrow; expanding keels stout, awned. Seeds subglobose, small, smooth, brown. x = 9. F lowering autumn and early winter. D istinguishing characters: rounded, highly succulent perennials, single-bodied or tufted; leaves smooth, silver to grey-green; flowers solitary, with distinct hypanthium and stigmas fused into a disc.