Conophytum minimum

Conophytum minimum is a small South African species of succulent plant of the genus Conophytum.

Conophytum minimum
Witteberg variety
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Conophytum
Species:
C. minimum
Binomial name
Conophytum minimum

Description

Small, highly patterned, mat-forming succulent, with a flattened (truncated) or slightly convex, rounded body-shape.

It is covered with distinctive lines, and the wittebergense variety has especially strong markings.

It is closely related to its neighbouring species Conophytum joubertii, Conophytum ficiforme, Conophytum piluliforme, and to the widespread Conophytum truncatum.[2]

Distribution and habitat
Conophytum minimum having flowered.
Conophytum minimum from Laingsburg.

This species is indigenous to the far south-western corner of the Great Karoo region, in the Western Cape of South Africa, in the Ceres Karoo and around Laingsburg.[3]

They grow primarily in the winter, when rainfall swells them. After flowering, they go into dormancy through the summer, when they are covered in a dry papery sheath. They inhabit extremely well-drained soil, in spots protected by rocks or bushes. They split and crack if they receive too much water.[4]

References
  1. Young, A.J. 2022. Conophytum minimum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T202850704A202850719. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T202850704A202850719.en. Accessed on 01 August 2023.
  2. "Conophytum wittebergense".
  3. Conophytum piluliforme - distribution map
  4. Conophytum piluliforme - Information page
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Further reading
  • Hammer,S.(2002) Dumpling and his wife: New views of the genus Conophytum EAE Creative Colour Ltd. ISBN 0-9539326-1-3.
  • Hammer,S.(1993) The genus Conophytum : A Conograph Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria. ISBN 0-620-17633-4.
  • National Botanical Institute of South Africa.(1993) List of Southern African Succulent Plants Umdaus Press. ISBN 1-919 766-04-9
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