Conophytum minimum | |
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Witteberg variety | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
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.
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]
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]