Acrodon bellidiflorus

Last updated

Acrodon bellidiflorus
Acrodon bellidiflorus illustration.jpeg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Acrodon
Species:
A. bellidiflorus
Binomial name
Acrodon bellidiflorus
(L.) N.E.Br.
Synonyms [1]
  • Acrodon bellidiflorus var. striatus(Haw.) N.E.Br.
  • Acrodon bellidiflorus var. viridis(Haw.) N.E.Br.
  • Acrodon duplessiae(L.Bolus) H.F.Glen
  • Mesembryanthemum acauleL.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidiflorumDill.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidiflorumL.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidiflorum var. glaucescensHaw.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidiflorum var. striatumHaw.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidiflorum var. virideHaw.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidifoliumL.
  • Ruschia constrictaL.Bolus
  • Ruschia duplessiaeL.Bolus
  • Ruschia gramineaJacobsen
  • Ruschia longifoliaL.Bolus
  • Ruschia macrophyllaL.Bolus

Acrodon bellidiflorus, the common tiptoothfig, is a mesemb species from South Africa.

Contents

Description

Acrodon bellidiflorus is a compact succulent perennial plant. [2] [3] It has a woody taproot with fine roots growing off it. This is the only species in its genus where this trait is common [3]

The deep green leaves are triangular. They have a persistent seeth[ sic?] that turns black with age. [3] The keel and margins may be smooth or may have three or four flexible teeth with broad bases. [2] The number of teeth may also vary between populations. [3] The eastern populations have short visible internodes. Internodes are not visible in other populations. [3]

The flowers are white or pale pink in colour and have a diameter of about 35 mm (1.4 in). [2] There is only a single flower at the tip of each flowering branch. [3] They are present between April and July. [4]

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to South Africa. It is found growing between McGregor and Bredasdorp and the Klein Karoo. It grows in areas that have renosterveld, coastal fynbos or grassland biomes. [4]

Taxonomy

Initially, Acrodon bellidiflorus was the only species in its genus. [3] A closer examination of Ruschia in 1986, however, found that several species shared traits with Acrodon bellidiflorus, resulting in them being moved to the genus Acrodon. [5]

Conservation

This species is considered to be of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Baeometra</i> Genus of flowering plants

Baeometra is a genus in the family Colchicaceae containing a single species, Baeometra uniflora. It is native to South Africa, where it is commonly called beetle lily due to the dark markings on the tepals.

<i>Ixia monadelpha</i> South African geophyte

Ixia monadelpha, also known as the pied kalossie or bontkalossie, is an endangered species of geophyte found in wet sandy flats in the southwestern Cape of South Africa.

<i>Geissorhiza aspera</i> South African geophyte

Geissorhiza aspera, also known as the blue satin flower or blou sysie, is a geophyte from South Africa.

<i>Acrodon</i> Genus of succulents

Acrodon is a genus of ice plants from South Africa. It comprises five species, mostly endangered and all restricted to the southern Cape regions of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa.

<i>Zyrphelis decumbens</i> Species of plant

Zyrphelis decumbens is a species of perennial plant from the Bainskloof Mountains in the Cape Provinces of South Africa.

Diosma haelkraalensis, or Hagelkraal's diosma, is a rare species of plant endemic to the southwestern Cape Provinces of South Africa.

<i>Cyphia bulbosa</i> South African plant species

Cyphia bulbosa, also known by its common name Bulb Baroe, is a species of flowering plant from the genus Cyphia.

Ursinia punctata is a species of plant belonging to the daisy family. It is found growing in South Africa, where it has a wide distribution.

Senecio ruwenzoriensis is an African species of plant. While it is widely distributed, it seems to be highly localised in this range.

<i>Senecio malacitanus</i> Species of plant

Senecio malacitanus, also known as Senecio linifolius is a species of plant from South Africa.

Acrodon deminutus, also known as the Malgas tiptoothfig, is a species of mesemb from South Africa.

Acrodon caespitosus, the Potberg tiptoothfig, is a species of mesemb from South Africa.

Acrodon parvifolius, the Botriver tiptoothfig, is a species of mesemb from South Africa. This species, which grows close to the ground, can best be recognised by its small, thin leaves and its flowers, which form a dome in the middle.

Acrodon subulatus, the Overberg tiptoothfig, is a species of mesemb from South Africa.

Cheiridopsis schlechteri is a species of plant from South Africa. It is a succulent plant that grows in dry habitats.

Cheiridopsis purpurea is a species of succulent plant from South Africa. It is found growing in the succulent Karoo vegetation type.

Cheiridopsis velox is a species of succulent plant from South Africa.

Senecio verbascifolius, the mullein ragwort, is a species of plant from South Africa.

Senecio sophioides is a species of plant from South Africa.

Nemesia glaucescens is a species of plant endemic to South Africa. It belongs to the figwort family.

References

  1. "Acrodon bellidiflorus". Global Biodiversity Information Facility . Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 e-Flora of South Africa. v1.36. 2022. South African National Biodiversity Institute. http://ipt.sanbi.org.za/iptsanbi/resource?r=flora_descriptions&v=1.36
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hartmann, Heidrun E.K.; Niesler, Ingeborg M. (2012). "A Gordion knot in Ruschioideae (Aizoaceae): Acrodon and Brianhuntleya in an attempt to disentangle the confusion". Bradleya. 30 (30): 33–60. doi:10.25223/brad.n30.2012.a8. ISSN   0265-086X.
  4. 1 2 Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2012). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region : 1: the core Cape flora (PDF). Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI. ISBN   978-1-919976-74-7. OCLC   852384288.
  5. Glen, H. F. (1986-10-28). "Numerical taxonomic studies in the subtribe Ruschiinae (Mesem-bryanthemaceae) — Astridia, Acrodon and Ebracteola". Bothalia. 16 (2): 203–226. doi: 10.4102/abc.v16i2.1088 . ISSN   2311-9284.
  6. Burgoyne, P.M. 2006. Acrodon bellidiflorus (L.) N.E.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 20 January 2023