Conophytum truncatum
| Conophytum truncatum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Conophytum |
| Species: | C. truncatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Conophytum truncatum (Thunb.) N.E.Br. | |
Conophytum truncatum is a small South African species of succulent plant of the genus Conophytum.
Distribution and habitat
The easternmost of all Conophytum species, C. truncatum is indigenous to the Little Karoo region, and its surrounds, in the southern Cape of South Africa. It ranges from near Montagu in the west, as far east as the Springbokvlakte.[1][2]
They grow primarily in the winter, when rainfall swell 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.[3]
It is closely related to several neighbouring species to the west: Conophytum minimum, Conophytum ficiforme of the Breede River Valley, white-flowered Conophytum joubertii, and purple-flowered Conophytum piluliforme of the Montagu area.
Conophytum truncatum var. wiggettiae, with its unusual colour.
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Conophytum truncatum. |
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