Cheiridopsis schlechteri is a species of plant from South Africa. It is a succulent plant that grows in dry habitats.
| Cheiridopsis schlechteri | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Cheiridopsis |
| Species: | C. schlechteri
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cheiridopsis schlechteri Tischer
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editThese plants grow as cushion-like clumps with a height of 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) and diameter of 4–12 cm (1.6–4.7 in).[2][3] The paired leaves are a dark grey-green in colour, particularly on the margins. They are also spotted with idioblasts.[2] The leaves do not form resting sheaths, but shrivel and are held close to the plant when they are dormant.[2]
This species shows much geographic variability.[2] The plants north of Eenriet and Steinkopf have white leaves with long papillae, while those around Gamoep have darker green leaves, raised idioblasts, and thicker reddish margins.[2][3] The population around Eenriet was initially classified as Cheiridopsis pulverulenta but many intermediate forms between this form and the more typical specimens have since been found. [2] Plants on the Geelvlei plateau are particularly small, with diameters of less than 2 cm (0.79 in). While the bright conditions they grow in n this region stunts their growth, there may be a genetic component as even cultivated specimens remain this small.[2]
Solitarily borne flowers are most common in mid-winter but are present into spring (between August and September).[2][4] They range in colour from ivory (in Areb and Umduas) to lemon yellow (in Springbok) to a bright yellow-orange and are large relative to the size of the plant (diameter of 2–4 cm (0.79–1.57 in)).[2][3] Some flowers may also show a faint pink blush.[2]
While 10-locular fruit are most common, the fruit range between 9-12-locular.[4]
Distribution and habitat
editThis species is endemic to the Northern Cape of South Africa.[5] It prefers dry habitats.[6] It grows on gneiss slopes, or on quartzite, shale or calcrete flats between Eenriet, Umduas, Gamoep and Bushmanland.[4]
Conservation
editCheiridopsis schlechteri is considered to be of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Cheiridopsis schlechteri". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hammer, Steven (1993). "Macro-Observations on Cheiridopsis N.E.Br. and Odontophorus N.E.Br. (Aizoaceae)". Bradleya. 11 (11): 75–85. doi:10.25223/brad.n11.1993.a5. ISSN 0265-086X. S2CID 91077749.
- ^ a b c 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
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b Raimondo, D.; Matlamela, P.F.; Kamundi, D.A. (2008). "Cheiridopsis schlechteri Tischer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1". SANBI Red List of South African Plants. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- ^ "Cheiridopsis schlechteri Tischer | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-01-31.