Conophytum minimum

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Conophytum minimum
Conophytum minimum - witteberge 5.jpg
Witteberg variety
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Conophytum
Species:
C. minimum
Binomial name
Conophytum minimum
(Thunb.) N.E.Br.

Conophytum minimum is a small South African species of succulent plant of the genus Conophytum.

Description[]

Small, highly patterned, mat-forming succulent, with a flattened (truncated) or slightly convex, rounded body-shape.

It is covered with distinctive lines, and the wittebergense variety has especially strong markings.

It is closely related to its neighbouring species , Conophytum ficiforme, Conophytum piluliforme, and to the widespread Conophytum truncatum. [1]

Distribution and habitat[]

Conophytum minimum having flowered.
Conophytum minimum from Laingsburg.

This species is indigenous to the far south-western corner of the Great Karoo region, in the Western Cape of South Africa, in the Ceres Karoo and around Laingsburg.[2]

They grow primarily in the winter, when rainfall swells them. After flowering, they go into dormancy through the summer, when they are covered in a dry papery sheath. They inhabit extremely well-drained soil, in spots protected by rocks or bushes. They split and crack if they receive too much water.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ "Conophytum wittebergense".
  2. ^ Conophytum piluliforme - distribution map
  3. ^ Conophytum piluliforme - Information page

Further reading[]

  • Hammer,S.(2002) Dumpling and his wife: New views of the genus Conophytum EAE Creative Colour Ltd. ISBN 0-9539326-1-3.
  • Hammer,S.(1993) The genus Conophytum : A Conograph Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria. ISBN 0-620-17633-4.
  • National Botanical Institute of South Africa.(1993) List of Southern African Succulent Plants Umdaus Press. ISBN 1-919 766-04-9

External links[]

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