Kingdom Plantae Family Aizoaceae Rank Species | Order Caryophyllales Genus Conophytum | |
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Similar Conophytum pellucidum, Conophytum meyeri, Conophytum obcordellum, Conophytum bilobum, Conophytum minutum | ||
Conophytum minimum is a small South African species of succulent plant of the genus Conophytum.
Contents
Description
Small, highly patterned, mat-forming succulent. 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.
Distribution and habitat
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.
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.