Oophytum

Oophytum
Oophytum nanum at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape town.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Aizoaceae
Genus:	Oophytum

Oophytum is a genus of succulent plants native to South Africa. Both species are endemic to the Knersvlakte. Egg-shaped Oophytum plants develop two leaves opposite each other per season. At the end of winter the outer pair forms a sheath from which the new pair of leaves develop. Water cells are visible on the soft leaves giving them a shimmering appearance. The flowers, produced in winter, are white, pink, or a combination of both.

The genus contains two accepted species:

• Oophytum nanum
• Oophytum oviforme

References

• Oophytum Plants in the Knersvlakte
• The Plant List