Cheiridopsis ponderosa

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

Cheiridopsis ponderosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Cheiridopsis
Species:
C. ponderosa
Binomial name
Cheiridopsis ponderosa
S.A.Hammer

Description

This succulent subshrub grows to a height of 15 cm (5.9 in) with a diameter of 25 cm (9.8 in). Plants become densely clumped and sort stemmed with age.[1] Thick and densely papillate leaves grow in pairs.[1][2] The leaves in each pair grow relatively close together.[1] They are grey green in colour, with a rounded keel and may have minute teeth near the tip.[1][2] The leaf margins are translucent.[1]

Cup-shaped flowers are present in August and September.[3] They are large and solitarily borne. The petals are yellow in colour.[3] The fruits are 10-locular and have a velvety texture.[2][3] They are spherical below.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Cheiridopsis ponderosa is endemic to the Northern Cape of South Africa.[4] It grows on quartzite slopes and flats in the lower Richtersveld region, where it has been found growing on Skimmelberg, near Grasvlakte.[3]

Conservation

This species is considered to be of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.[4]

References
  1. 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
  2. Klak, C.; Helme, N. A.; Bruyns, P. V. (2015-01-01). "Cheiridopsis alba-oculata (Aizoaceae: Ruschioideae, Ruschieae) — A new quartz-endemic from southern Namaqualand, South Africa". South African Journal of Botany. 96: 1–5. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2014.11.001. ISSN 0254-6299.
  3. Snijman, D.A. (2013). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Regionn, Vol. 2: the Extra Cape flora (PDF). Strelitzia. John Manning, Peter Goldblatt. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute. ISBN 978-1-919976-74-7. OCLC 866860203.
  4. Burgoyne, P.M. 2006. Cheiridopsis ponderosa S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2023/02/07
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