Biology:Acrodon bellidiflorus

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Short description: South African mesemb species

Acrodon bellidiflorus
Acrodon bellidiflorus illustration.jpeg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Acrodon
Species:
A. bellidiflorus
Binomial name
Acrodon bellidiflorus
(L.) N.E.Br.
Synonyms[1]
  • Acrodon bellidiflorus var. striatus (Haw.) N.E.Br.
  • Acrodon bellidiflorus var. viridis (Haw.) N.E.Br.
  • Acrodon duplessiae (L.Bolus) H.F.Glen
  • Mesembryanthemum acaule L.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidiflorum Dill.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidiflorum L.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidiflorum var. glaucescens Haw.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidiflorum var. striatum Haw.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidiflorum var. viride Haw.
  • Mesembryanthemum bellidifolium L.
  • Ruschia constricta L.Bolus
  • Ruschia duplessiae L.Bolus
  • Ruschia graminea Jacobsen
  • Ruschia longifolia L.Bolus
  • Ruschia macrophylla L.Bolus

Acrodon bellidiflorus, the common tiptoothfig, is a mesemb species from South Africa.

Description

Acrodon bellidiflorus is a compact succulent perennial plant.[2][3] It has a woody taproot with fine roots growing off it. This is the only species in its genus where this trait is common[3]

The deep green leaves are triangular. They have a persistent seeth [sic?] that turns black with age.[3] The keel and margins may be smooth or may have three or four flexible teeth with broad bases.[2] The number of teeth may also vary between populations.[3] The eastern populations have short visible internodes. Internodes are not visible in other populations.[3]

The flowers are white or pale pink in colour and have a diameter of about 35 mm (1.4 in).[2] There is only a single flower at the tip of each flowering branch.[3] They are present between April and July.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to South Africa . It is found growing between McGregor and Bredasdorp and the Klein Karoo. It grows in areas that have renosterveld, coastal fynbos or grassland biomes.[4]

Taxonomy

Initially, Acrodon bellidiflorus was the only species in its genus.[3] A closer examination of Ruschia in 1986, however, found that several species shared traits with Acrodon bellidiflorus, resulting in them being moved to the genus Acrodon.[5]

Conservation

This species is considered to be of least concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.[6]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q15611515 entry