Conophytum minimum

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Conophytum minimum
Conophytum minimum - witteberge 5.jpg
Witteberg variety
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Conophytum
Species:
C. minimum
Binomial name
Conophytum minimum

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

Contents

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 joubertii , Conophytum ficiforme , Conophytum piluliforme , and to the widespread Conophytum truncatum . [2]

Distribution and habitat

Conophytum minimum having flowered. Conophytum scitulum.jpg
Conophytum minimum having flowered.
Conophytum minimum from Laingsburg. Conophytum minimum - Laingsburg RSA 4.jpg
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. [3]

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. [4]

References

  1. Young, A.J. (2022). "Conophytum minimum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022 e.T202850704A202850719. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T202850704A202850719.en . Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  2. "Conophytum wittebergense".
  3. Conophytum piluliforme - distribution map
  4. Conophytum piluliforme - Information page

Further reading