Kingdom Plantae Scientific name Oscularia Order Caryophyllales | Family Aizoaceae Rank Genus | |
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Similar Oscularia deltoides, Pleiospilos, Aloinopsis, Faucaria, Lampranthus | ||
Deltoides 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.
Contents
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.
Conocer la oscularia deltoides primavera 2016
Description
The most superficially recognisable feature of the genus is the strange 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.
Distribution
The species of this genus 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.
The species O. deltoides is common in cultivation.
