Glottiphyllum depressum

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Glottiphyllum depressum
1 Glottiphyllum depressum Bonnievale - a.jpg
Glottiphyllum depressum in flower
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G. depressum

Glottiphyllum depressum is a common species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae , native to South Africa.

Contents

It is probably the most widespread species of Glottiphyllum , after Glottiphyllum longum , and one of the most commonly found in cultivation. Though not as common as G.longum, it is far more variable in its form. [2] [3]

Description

Closed G.depressum seed-capsule. The valves form a high, raised dome. The capsule's rim is low and depressed. Glottiphyllum depressum capsule detail - Bonnievale - Copy.jpg
Closed G.depressum seed-capsule. The valves form a high, raised dome. The capsule's rim is low and depressed.
G.depressum seed-capsules opened from rain. The capsules do not have stalks so they are held close to the plant, and soon fall off. Glottiphyllum depressum seed capsules -Caledon 2.jpg
G.depressum seed-capsules opened from rain. The capsules do not have stalks so they are held close to the plant, and soon fall off.
Discarded seed-capsule. After they fall, the rounded capsules roll and spread seed further (tumble-fruits). Discarded seed capsule of Glottiphyllum depressum -Caledon - Copy.jpg
Discarded seed-capsule. After they fall, the rounded capsules roll and spread seed further (tumble-fruits).

It can be distinguished from its relatives by its leaves, many of which are apically hooked. The clear appearance of a hook at the leaf tip is due to the impression of the opposite leaf against it when the leaf-pair was first emerging. The walls of the leaves' bladder cells are also noticeably undulate.

The flowers and fruits do not have long stalks, and are therefore held close against the plant.

The seed capsule has a very soft, round, spongy base, and thick valves raised up in a high (>3 mm) rounded dome shape at the top. The capsule's surrounding rim is low and depressed. The stalks of the capsule disintegrate rapidly, allowing the capsule itself to fall. The rounded capsule then rolls and spreads the seed further (tumble fruit).

Like many Glottiphyllum species, its stems grow horizontally along the ground, with its green, fleshy leaves growing in two opposite rows (distichous).

Regional variation

G.depressum can be identified by the "hooked" leaf-tips that many of their leaves have. Glottiphyllum depressum leaf detail - Bonnievale 2 - Copy.jpg
G.depressum can be identified by the "hooked" leaf-tips that many of their leaves have.
G.depressum leaf detail Seeding Glottiphyllum depressum -Caledon - Copy.jpg
G.depressum leaf detail

This species is extremely variable, and while some varieties of G.depressum have leaves that lie decumbent along the ground, others have ascending leaves that do not have very clear hooks at their tips. Some varieties have flat, strap-shaped leaves, which sometimes even resemble those of Glottiphyllum longum . However their leaves narrow slightly towards the leaf apex. Other varieties have leaves that are laterally compressed and triangular in cross-section. If they are also upright or ascending in their angle, they can sometimes resemble the leaves of Glottiphyllum suave .

However all varieties have some of their leaves with twisted and hooked tips.

Distinction from G. longum

This species is sometimes confused with the even more widespread Glottiphyllum longum . However G.depressum has clear hooked tips on its leaves, which are also sometimes slightly more erect. The cell walls of its leaves' bladders cells are undulated. The flowers and fruits of G.depressum do not have long stalks so they are held close against the centre of the plant. Its seed capsule also has a very soft, spongy base, and falls away soon. The top of the seed capsule has very thick, raised valves in a tall dome, which is surrounded by a low inconspicuous rim.

G. longum has long, flat, strap-shaped leaves that often lie slightly more prostrate on the ground. They are, at most, only slightly curved at the tip, not strongly hooked. The bladder cells at the rounded leaf-margins are oriented horizontally and not elongated. G. longum fruits are born on long stalks. The seed capsules are flatter on the top, with lower valves and a higher rim, and 9 or more locules. The capsules are also long-lasting, and can be seen persisting on the stem for many years.

Distribution

Widespread in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It occurs from the Ceres Karoo, across the Overberg region, and eastwards.

Related Research Articles

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<i>Glottiphyllum</i> Genus of succulents

Glottiphyllum is a genus of about 57 species of succulent subtropical plants of the family Aizoaceae. It is closely related to the Gibbaeum and Faucaria genera. The name comes from ancient Greek γλωττίς glottis "tongue" and φύλλον phyllon "leaf". The species are native to South Africa, specifically to Cape Province and the Karoo desert. They grow in rocks and soils incorporating slate, sandstone and quartz. Rainfall in their native areas is between 125 and 500 mm, most of which falls in March and November.

<i>Glottiphyllum longum</i> Species of succulent

Glottiphyllum longum is a species of succulent plant in the family Aizoaceae, native to the Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa.

<i>Cleretum bellidiforme</i> Species of flowering plant

Cleretum bellidiforme, commonly called Livingstone daisy, Bokbaaivygie (Afrikaans), or Buck Bay vygie, is a species of flowering plant in the family Aizoaceae, native to the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. It is a low-growing succulent annual growing to 25 cm (10 in), and cultivated for its iridescent, many-petalled, daisy-like blooms in shades of white, yellow, orange, cream, pink and crimson. In temperate areas it is popularly grown as a half-hardy annual, and lends itself to mass plantings or as edging plants in summer bedding schemes in parks and gardens. It is still widely referenced under its former names, Mesembryanthemum criniflorum and Dorotheanthus bellidiformis.

<i>Glottiphyllum cruciatum</i> Species of succulent


Glottiphyllum cruciatum is a rare species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae. It is indigenous to arid areas near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, South Africa. The plant has many synonyms including Glottiphyllum angustum.

<i>Glottiphyllum regium</i> Species of succulent

Glottiphyllum regium is a rare species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae. It is known locally as "koeispene". It is restricted to a small arid area near Calitzdorp in the Western Cape, South Africa.

<i>Glottiphyllum linguiforme</i> Species of succulent

Glottiphyllum linguiforme is a widespread species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae, native to South Africa. It is the type species of the genus Glottiphyllum.

<i>Glottiphyllum surrectum</i> Species of succulent

Glottiphyllum surrectum is a species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae. It is indigenous to arid areas of the Little Karoo, in the Western Cape, South Africa.

<i>Glottiphyllum suave</i> Species of succulent

Glottiphyllum suave is a species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae. It is indigenous to arid areas of the western Little Karoo, in the Western Cape, South Africa.

<i>Glottiphyllum oligocarpum</i> Species of succulent

Glottiphyllum oligocarpum is a species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae. It is indigenous to arid areas of the Little Karoo, in the Western Cape, South Africa.

<i>Glottiphyllum fergusoniae</i> Species of succulent

Glottiphyllum fergusoniae is a species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae. It is indigenous to the western part of the Little Karoo, in the Western Cape, South Africa.

<i>Glottiphyllum nelii</i> Species of succulent

Glottiphyllum nelii is a species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae. It is indigenous to the arid Great Karoo region, South Africa.

<i>Glottiphyllum carnosum</i> Species of succulent

Glottiphyllum carnosum is a rare species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae. It is indigenous to arid areas between the towns of Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, South Africa. It co-occurs with several other species of Glottiphyllum.

<i>Trichodiadema mirabile</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Drosanthemum lavisii</i> Species of succulent

Drosanthemum lavisii is a succulent plant in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae, indigenous to the Overberg region of the Western Cape Province, South Africa.

<i>Trichodiadema barbatum</i> Species of plant

Trichodiadema barbatum is succulent plant of the genus Trichodiadema, native to the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

References

  1. "Glottiphyllum depressum (Haw.) N.E.Br". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  2. Heidrun E.K. Hartmann, Horst Gölling: A monograph on the genus Glottiphyllum (Mesembryanthema, Aizoaceae). In: Bradleya 11, 1993.
  3. "Glottiphyllum depressum".