| Glottiphyllum longum | |
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| The strap-shaped leaves of Glottiphyllum longum | |
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| Species: | Glottiphyllum longum (Haw.) N.E.Br. |
Glottiphyllum longum is a species of succulent plant in the family Aizoaceae, native to the Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa.
It is the most widespread Glottiphyllum species, and the most common one in cultivation.
It can be distinguished from its relatives by the way that its flat, green, fleshy, tongue-shaped leaves are all born in two opposite rows (distichous), lying flat and mostly prostrate along the ground.
The long leaves are distinctively strap-shaped, with rounded margins. Sometimes they are also mildly curved or upturned at the tips, but not hooked. The bladder cells at the leaf margins are oriented horizontally and not elongated.
The fruits are born on long stalks. The seed capsules have 9 or more locules and persist on the stem for many years. The seeds are very small and smoothed on the sides.
This species is sometimes confused with the similarly widespread Glottiphyllum depressum . However the flowers and fruits of G.depressum do not have long stalks and are therefore held closely against the stem. Its seed capsule also has a very soft, spongy base, and the whole capsule degrades and falls away soon after releasing its seed. The top of the seed capsule has very thick, raised valves in a tall dome, which is surrounded by a low inconspicuous rim.
In contrast, the flowers and fruits of G. longum are on long stalks, and remain on the plant for a long time.
The leaves of G.longum are also often longer. G.depressum has more clearly hooked depressions on its leaves, which are also often slightly more erect. The cell walls of its leaves' bladders cells are undulated.
This is the most widespread and common species in the entire genus Glottiphyllum . It occurs in shrubby thicket, on loamy-sandy soil, from near Ceres in the west, throughout the Little Karoo and Overberg regions, as far as the Albany region of the Eastern Cape. Here, in the far eastern part of its range, it co-occurs with the species that it also most resembles, its close relative Glottiphyllum grandiflorum . [1]
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The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1800 species. They are commonly known as ice plants or carpet weeds. They are often called vygies in South Africa and New Zealand. Highly succulent species that resemble stones are sometimes called mesembs.
Mesembryanthemum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae; like many members of this family, it is characterized by long-lasting flower heads. Flowers of Mesembryanthemum protect their gametes from night-time dews or frosts but open in sunlight. There is an obvious evolutionary advantage to doing this; where sun, dew, frost, wind or predators are likely to damage exposed reproductive organs, closing may be advantageous during times when flowers are unlikely to attract pollinators. It is indigenous to southern Africa.
Aptenia is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae. They are native to southern Africa. The genus name is from the Greek a- (not) and ptenos (winged), and refers to the wingless fruit capsules.
Bulbine is a genus of plants in the family Asphodelaceae and subfamily Asphodeloideae, named for the bulb-shaped tuber of many species. It was formerly placed in the Liliaceae. It is found chiefly in Southern Africa, with a few species extending into tropical Africa and a few others in Australia and Yemen.
Disphyma crassifolium subsp. clavellatum is the subspecies of Disphyma crassifolium that occurs in Australia and New Zealand. It is sometimes known by the common name rounded noon-flower
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.
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.
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.
Glottiphyllum depressum is a common species of succulent plant, of the family Aizoaceae, native to South Africa.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bergeranthus is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.