Cheiridopsis velox
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cheiridopsis velox | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Cheiridopsis |
| Species: | C. velox |
| Binomial name | |
| Cheiridopsis velox S.A.Hammer | |
Cheiridopsis velox is a species of succulent plant from South Africa.
Cheiridopsis velox is a tangled succulent shrublet that grows to a height of 25 cm (9.8 in) and a diameter of 40 cm (16 in).[1][2] The internodes are up to 5 mm (0.20 in) long. Each branch bears between six and ten pairs of live triangular green leaves. They are about 25 mm (0.98 in) long with a mild keel, whitish papillae and faint spots which are more or less continuous along the margins.[1][2] They have sparse teeth near the tips which grow to a length of up to 2 mm (0.079 in) and end in short, brown bristles.[2] The old leaves remain on the branch and are pale brown in colour.[2]
Flowers are present between late winter and mid spring, although they are most common in August and September. Each solitary flower is surrounded by leaf-like bracts.[2][3] They are lightly scented, and they open during the day and close at night. About 90-100 petals are present in two or three rows. They grow to a length of 14 mm (0.55 in) and are lemon yellow at the tip, fading to white at the base.[2] They have five reddish sepals, three of which have translucent margins. They all bear a brown apical bristle. Each flower has about 18 stamens. The lemon yellow filaments are 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) long with dark yellow anthers.[2] The dark green gynoecium has a diameter of 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) and has about 60 divisions. It is covered in granular idioblasts. There are eight to ten greenish stigmas. They are 2 mm (0.079 in) long and covered in papillae.[2]
The fruits are 8-10-locular, although 10-locular fruits are most common.[2][3] They are 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long.[2] The fruits are plum red when young, becoming pale or dark brown over time.[2][3] They are slightly convex above and rounded and papillate (covered in papillae) below. They do not have valve wings.[2] The chestnut brown seeds are pear shaped and 0.65 mm (0.026 in) long.[2]