Lithops localis

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Lithops localis
Lithops localis.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Lithops
Species:
L. localis
Binomial name
Lithops localis

Lithops localis (also known as Lithops terricolor) is a species of plant in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to South Africa.

Contents

Distribution

Lithops localis is naturally found in the southern Karoo region in the Cape Provinces of South Africa. Its natural range extends in an east–west belt, through the Little Karoo, and in the adjacent sliver of the Great Karoo just to the north. It is the only Lithops species which occurs in this stretch of southern Africa.

This range is an arid area of predominantly summer rainfall. Here it often grows among rocks or in the shade of another plant. [2]

Cultivation

It is sometimes used as a houseplant or for landscaping. Like all Lithops, it requires extremely well-drained soil. Like all Lithops it also grows in annual cycles, as the leaf-pairs flower, and then each produces a new leaf-pair that replaces the old one (which shrivels away). The principal rule of watering is that Lithops should be kept dry from when they finish flowering, up until the old leaf-pairs are fully replaced.

Of the Lithops species, L. localis is one of the species which is relatively tolerant of occasional incorrect watering, and is therefore relatively easy to cultivate.

Related Research Articles

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Lithops is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae. Members of the genus are native to southern Africa. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words λίθος 'stone' and ὄψ 'face', referring to the stone-like appearance of the plants. They avoid being eaten by blending in with surrounding rocks and are often known as pebble plants or living stones. Lithops is both the genus name and the common name. The formation of the name from the Ancient Greek -ops means that even a single plant is called a Lithops.

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<i>Vachellia karroo</i> Species of legume

Vachellia karroo, (synonym Acacia karroo} commonly known as the sweet thorn, common acacia, Karoo thorn, Cape gum or cockspur thorn, is a species of Vachellia, in the Mimosa sub-family of the Fabaceae or pea family, which is native to southern Africa from southern Angola east to Mozambique, and south to South Africa.

<i>Cotyledon orbiculata</i> Species of plant

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<i>Lithops optica</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Aloe ferox</i> Species of succulent

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<i>Lithops aucampiae</i> Species of succulent flowering plant

Lithops aucampiae is a species of flowering plant in the family Aizoaceae, found in South Africa. it was named after Juanita Aucamp, who found a specimen on her father's farm in Postmasburg, Northern Cape in 1929.

<i>Portulacaria afra</i> Species of succulent in the family Didiereaceae

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<i>Haworthia truncata</i> Species of succulent

Haworthia truncata, locally known as horse's teeth, is a species of succulent plant in the genus Haworthia. It is found in the Little Karoo region, in the far east of the Western Cape Province, South Africa.

<i>Lithops viridis</i> Species of plant

Lithops viridis is a species of plant in the family Aizoaceae.

<i>Lithops salicola</i> Species of succulent

Lithops salicola is a species of perennial plant in the family Aizoaceae, often called living stones, because of its resemblance to round grey pebbles.

<i>Lithops karasmontana</i> Species of succulent

Lithops karasmontana, is a species of flowering plant in the ice plant family Aizoaceae, native to Namibia and South Africa.

<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>Lithops lesliei</i> Species of succulent plant

Lithops lesliei is a species of plant in the family Aizoaceae. The plant is collected for its medicinal properties, and has therefore become threatened.

<i>Lapidaria margaretae</i> Species of succulent

Lapidaria is a monotypic genus of dwarf succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae. The only species it contains is Lapidaria margaretae, also known as the Karoo rose.

<i>Crassula nudicaulis</i> Species of succulent

Crassula nudicaulis is a succulent plant native to South Africa, and Lesotho.

<i>Lithops comptonii</i> Species of succulent

Lithops comptonii is a species of plant in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to South Africa.

<i>Haworthiopsis viscosa</i> Species of succulent

Haworthiopsis viscosa, formerly Haworthia viscosa, is a species of flowering succulent plant from the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa.

<i>Lithops divergens</i> Species of succulent

Lithops divergens is a succulent plant species in the genus Lithops of the family Aizoaceae. It is endemic to the western Cape Provinces of South Africa. It is able to withstand intense climatic changes due to its resilience as a succulent. The average annual rainfall for its natural environment is less than 150 mm, occurring primarily in winter which is unusual for a Lithops.

<i>Lithops naureeniae</i> Species of succulent

Lithops naureeniae is a species of pebble plant (Lithops), in the family Aizoaceae. It is native to the Northern Cape province of South Africa. The succulent is adapted to the desert climate in which it lives. L. naureeniae was identified in 1980 by Desmond Cole, who became involved in Lithops research in 1947, from a specimen provided to him by Bruce Bayer, curator of the Karoo Botanic Garden, having been collected by Peter V. Bruyns in Namaqualand. It is named after Cole's wife, Naureen Cole. Cole wrote:

I therefore have pleasure in dedicating it to the person who, during the last fifteen years, directly and indirectly, has contributed more to research on and knowledge of the genus Lithops than any other—my wife, Naureen

References

  1. "Lithops localis (N.E.Br.) Schwantes". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  2. "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants".