| Pseudolithos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pseudolithos migiurtinus plant in cultivation | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asclepiadoideae |
| Tribe: | Ceropegieae |
| Genus: | Pseudolithos P.R.O.Bally |
Pseudolithos is a genus of succulent flowering plants of the family Apocynaceae, indigenous to arid areas of Somalia, Yemen and Oman.
The plants were first described as a genus in 1965; the name "Pseudo-lithos" means "false-stone" and refers to their pebble-like appearance. It was originally proposed as Lithocaulon earlier in 1956, but this name was already in use for a genus of fossil algae. [1] All species in this genus are highly succulent, small in size, and exhibit tessellation on their stems' surface. Their small flowers appear on the spherical body's surface. [2] [3]
Phylogenetic studies have shown the genus to be monophyletic, and most closely related to the widespread Caralluma stapeliads of North Africa. Marginally more distantly related is a sister branch comprising the genera Echidnopsis and Rhytidocaulon . [5]
Pachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Madagascar and Africa. It belongs to the family Apocynaceae.
The Asclepiadoideae are a subfamily of plants in the family Apocynaceae. Formerly, they were treated as a separate family under the name Asclepiadaceae, e.g. by APG II, and known as the milkweed family.
Hoodia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, under the subfamily Asclepiadoideae, native to Southern Africa.
The genus Huernia consists of perennial, stem succulents from Eastern and Southern Africa and Arabia, first described as a genus in 1810.
Duvalia is a succulent plant genus in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae, in the family Apocynaceae (dogbane).
Larryleachia is a genus of stapeliad succulent flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae.
Edithcolea is a monotypic genus with a single species Edithcolea grandis. Once classified in the family Asclepiadaceae, it is now in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae of the dogbane family Apocynaceae. It is native to Africa and to the Arabian Peninsula.
Stapelianthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1933. The entire genus is endemic to Madagascar and is concentrated in the far south of the island.
Tavaresia is a genus of plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1902. It is native to southern Africa.
Echidnopsis is a genus of succulent, cactus-like plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1871. They are native to eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Piaranthus is a succulent plant genus in the subfamily Asclepiadoideae, in the family Apocynaceae.
Orbea is a genus of flowering plants of the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1812. It is native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Notechidnopsis is a group of plants in the family Apocynaceae first described as a genus in 1985. It contains only one recognized species, Notechidnopsis tessellata, native to Cape Province in South Africa.
Rhytidocaulon is a plant genus in the family Apocynaceae, first described in 1962. It is native to northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula
John Jacob Lavranos was a Greek/South African insurance broker and botanist, with a special interest in succulents. The standard author abbreviation Lavranos is used to indicate this person as the author when citing a botanical name. He scientifically described almost 300 new species of plants, and a number have been named in his honor.
Pseudolithos cubiformis is a species of succulent plant native to Somalia. While its genus name, Pseudolithos, refers to its stone-like appearance, the species is especially named for its squat, leafless, and often cube-shaped growth habit.
Pseudolithos migiurtinus is a species of succulent plant in the genus Pseudolithos. Native to Somalia, it is akin to other species in the genus in that it grows in arid environments and is a small, leafless plant that looks somewhat like a stone, hence the name. It can range from green to ochre in color. This species is up to 120 millimetres (4.7 in) high and 65 millimetres (2.6 in) around, can be either cubiform or cylindrical in form, and may grow small branching columns in older plants.
Pseudolithos horwoodii is a species of succulent plant in the genus Pseudolithos. Native to arid areas of Somalia, it is a small, leafless plant up to 80 millimetres (3.1 in) tall and 45–60 millimetres (1.8–2.4 in) wide. Its growth habit is squat, unbranched, and blob-like, living up to the name of its genus which means "false stone". Its color is green to grayish brown.
Pseudolithos caput-viperae is a species of succulent plant in the genus Pseudolithos. It is a small, leafless plant up to 15–40 millimetres (0.59–1.57 in) tall and either green or brownish. First discovered and described in the 1970s by botanists John Jacob Lavranos and Renato Bavazzano, it is native to Somalia. The seedlings of the plant are identical to Pseudolithos migiurtinus, but start to branch after a year, making this the only member of Pseudolithos that is not just a single squat stem. Its Latin species name means "snake head".
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