Conophytum truncatum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Conophytum truncatum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Conophytum |
| Species: | C. truncatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Conophytum truncatum | |
Conophytum truncatum is a small South African species of succulent plant of the genus Conophytum.
Relatives and distinguishing features
Conophytum truncatum can be distinguished from its closest relatives by its truncated, flattened heads, with small fissures. It is a very variable species. Some population have spots – sometimes arranged into vague lines; others have no markings.
The flowers are usually a pale yellow.
Conophytum truncatum is closely related to several neighbouring species to the west: Conophytum minimum, white-flowered Conophytum joubertii, purple-flowered Conophytum piluliforme of the Montagu area, and Conophytum ficiforme of the Breede River Valley.
The rare Conophytum joubertii (restricted to the Ladismith-Vanwyksdorp area) has small (less than 5 mm x 5 mm), more rounded, convex or cylindrical shaped heads, and has cream or white flowers.
The common Conophytum piluliforme (occurring across the Montagu-Ladismith Karoo) has small (less than 5 mm x 5 mm), obconical, "pill-shaped" ("piluliforme") heads, with few or no spots and pink or purple flowers.
The Conophytum ficiforme (restricted to the Breede River valley) has raised, keeled, "fig-shaped" bodies, with distinctive spots that are clearly arranged in angular, (horseshoe-shaped) lines over their heads. This species also has pink or purple flowers.[3]
Typical flat, "truncated" heads of Conophytum truncatum
Typical, strongly-marked heads of Conophytum minimum
Typical "pill-shaped" heads of Conophytum piluliforme
Typical "fig-shaped" heads of Conophytum ficiforme
