Oscularia

Oscularia is a genus of succulent flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae, native to semi-arid and rocky habitats in the Western Cape of South Africa.

Oscularia
Oscularia deltoides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Oscularia
Schwantes
Species

about 25 species, see text

It was previously included within the related genus Lampranthus, but was split off as a separate genus, due to differences in its fruit and flower.

Description
Oscularia caulescens

The most superficially recognisable feature of the genus is the shape of the leaves, which are grey-green and waxy. They are triangular in cross-section (3 angled) and can be sickle, club or mouth shaped. The name "Oscularia" actually means "group of tiny mouths" in Latin, and refers to the appearance of the toothed leaves in some species. The stems are often red, and the leaves can become red too during times of drought.

Abundant, almond-scented, daisy-like white or pink flowers appear throughout the summer.[1][2]

Distribution

The species are restricted to the Western Cape Province, South Africa, where they occur only in winter rainfall areas. Their habitat is typically rocky areas of sandstone.[3]

The species Oscularia deltoides is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant.

List of species
  • Oscularia alba
  • Oscularia caulescens
  • Oscularia cedarbergensis
  • Oscularia compressa
  • Oscularia comptonii
  • Oscularia copiosa
  • Oscularia cremnophila
  • Oscularia deltata
  • Oscularia deltoides
  • Oscularia excedens
  • Oscularia falciformis
  • Oscularia guthrieae
  • Oscularia lunata
  • Oscularia major
  • Oscularia ornata
  • Oscularia paardebergensis
  • Oscularia pedunculata
  • Oscularia piquetbergensis
  • Oscularia prasina
  • Oscularia primiverna
  • Oscularia steenbergensis
  • Oscularia superans
  • Oscularia thermarum
  • Oscularia vernicolor
  • Oscularia vredenburgensis[4]
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References
  1. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  2. "Oscularia | GATEWAY TO AFRICAN PLANTS".
  3. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/osculdelt.htm
  4. "The International Plant Names Index". www.ipni.org. Archived from the original on 2000-08-18.


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