Biology:Cheiridopsis ponderosa

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Short description: South African succulent species

Cheiridopsis ponderosa
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Cheiridopsis
Species:
C. ponderosa
Binomial name
Cheiridopsis ponderosa
S.A.Hammer

Cheiridopsis ponderosa is a species of succulent plant from South Africa.

Description

This 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

Cheiridopsis 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

This species is considered to be of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.[4]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q17149338 entry