Conophytum breve
Conophytum breve is a small South African species of succulent plant of the genus Conophytum.
| Conophytum breve | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Conophytum |
| Species: | C. breve |
| Binomial name | |
| Conophytum breve N.E.Br. | |
Description
Conophytum breve has small, smooth, rounded heads, and offsets to form irregular clumps. The epidermis is a chalky grey to glaucous green, without any spots or markings. It resembles very closely its relative Conophytum calculus, but is much smaller and forms more uneven clusters.
Relatives and distinguishing features
It is closely related to Conophytum pageae, with which it is often conflated. However C.breve is smaller, with more rounded heads and a more grey-green colour. It is also related to the larger species Conophytum calculus (which is much larger) and to Conophytum stevens-jonesianum (which is covered with spots).
Distribution
This species is indigenous to the Namaqualand, in the far west of the Northern Cape Province, South Africa.
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Conophytum breve. |
Further reading
- Hammer,S.(2002) Dumpling and his wife: New views of the genus Conophytum EAE Creative Colour Ltd. ISBN 0-9539326-1-3.
- Hammer,S.(1993) The genus Conophytum : A Conograph Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria. ISBN 0-620-17633-4.
- National Botanical Institute of South Africa.(1993) List of Southern African Succulent Plants Umdaus Press. ISBN 1-919 766-04-9