Argyroderma
| Argyroderma | |
|---|---|
| |
| Argyroderma fissum | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Subfamily: | Ruschioideae |
| Tribe: | Ruschieae |
| Genus: | Argyroderma N.E.Br.[1] |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
Argyroderma is a genus consisting of over 50 species[2] of succulents in the iceplant family from South Africa.[3]
Description
These distinctive plants are among those known as "living stones", because their highly succulent, usually stemless, blue-green leaves occur at ground level and can resemble small stones. They form small clumps of a few or many paired, usually cylindrical to egg-shaped leaves that are cleft in the center. Each stem bears just 2 leaves per season but may produce offsets over the years. In some species the old leaves persist and form a short column on which new leaves develop. Solitary daisy-like flowers, usually white, yellow, or purple, appear in the cleft.[3]
Distribution
The entire genus is naturally confined to a relatively small region in the far west of South Africa, known locally as the "Knersvlakte" area. This is a very arid region of winter-rainfall desert and rocky quartzite sands.
Cultivation
Like most succulents, they require extremely well-drained soil, and are damaged by repeated frosts. Their preferred mode of cultivation is a bright and sunny position with gritty free-draining soil. They may be propagated from seed, or careful division of established clumps.[3]
Selected species
- List source :[2]
References
- ^ Gard. Chron. 1922, Ser. III. lxxi. 92."Plant Name Details for Genus Argyroderma N.E.Br". IPNI. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ a b "Plant Name Query Results for Genus Argyroderma". IPNI. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ a b c Lord, Tony (2003). Flora : The Gardener's Bible : More than 20,000 garden plants from around the world. London: Cassell. ISBN 0-304-36435-5.