Cheiridopsis ponderosa is a species of succulent plant from South Africa.
| Cheiridopsis ponderosa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Cheiridopsis |
| Species: | C. ponderosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cheiridopsis ponderosa S.A.Hammer
| |
Description
editThis succulent subshrub grows to a height of 15 cm (5.9 in) with a diameter of 25 cm (9.8 in). Plants become densely clumped and sort stemmed with age.[1] Thick and densely papillate leaves grow in pairs.[1][2] The leaves in each pair grow relatively close together.[1] They are grey green in colour, with a rounded keel and may have minute teeth near the tip.[1][2] The leaf margins are translucent.[1]
Cup-shaped flowers are present in August and September.[3] They are large and solitarily borne. The petals are yellow in colour.[3] The fruits are 10-locular and have a velvety texture.[2][3] They are spherical below.[1]
Distribution and habitat
editCheiridopsis ponderosa is endemic to the Northern Cape of South Africa.[4] It grows on quartzite slopes and flats in the lower Richtersveld region, where it has been found growing on Skimmelberg, near Grasvlakte.[3]
Conservation
editThis species is considered to be of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f 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 Klak, C.; Helme, N. A.; Bruyns, P. V. (2015-01-01). "Cheiridopsis alba-oculata (Aizoaceae: Ruschioideae, Ruschieae) — A new quartz-endemic from southern Namaqualand, South Africa". South African Journal of Botany. 96: 1–5. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2014.11.001. ISSN 0254-6299.
- ^ a b c d 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 Burgoyne, P.M. 2006. Cheiridopsis ponderosa S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2023/02/07