Conophytum chrisolum is a species of succulent plant in the Iceplant Family Aizoaceae. It is endemic to the Richtersveld region of Northern Cape Province in South Africa. It may be the smallest free-living, land dwelling (non-aquatic) flowering plant, and certainly is the smallest succulent, measuring no more than 0.4 inch (10 mm) in height by less than 0.25 inch (6 mm) in width. It never branches or divides. It was only discovered in 1994 by botanical explorer Chris Rodgerson.[2] The solitary magenta colored flower, up to 0.8 inch (20 mm) in diameter, is wider than the plant.
Conophytum chrisolum | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Aizoaceae |
Genus: | Conophytum |
Species: | C. chrisolum
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Binomial name | |
Conophytum chrisolum S.A.Hammer
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References
edit- ^ Young, A.J. (2022). "Conophytum chrisolum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T202851275A202851277. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T202851275A202851277.en. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Hammer, Steven (May–June 1997). "New Chrisogenic Species of Conophytum...etc". Cactus and Succulent Journal. 69 (3): 127.