Conophytum piluliforme
| Conophytum piluliforme | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Conophytum |
| Species: | C. piluliforme |
| Binomial name | |
| Conophytum piluliforme (Thunb.) N.E.Br. | |
Conophytum piluliforme is a small South African species of succulent plant of the genus Conophytum.
Description
Small, mat-forming succulent, with purple flowers. It is closely related to its neighbouring species Conophytum joubertii which has white flowers, Conophytum ficiforme just to the west, and to the widespread Conophytum truncatum.[1]
Distribution and habitat
This species is indigenous to the far western corner of the Little Karoo region, in the Western Cape of South Africa. It occurs around Montagu, Barrydale, and as far as Ladismith in the east.
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. They split and crack if they receive too much water.[2]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Conophytum piluliforme. |
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