Cheiridopsis ponderosa explained

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

Description

This succulent subshrub grows to a height of 15cm (06inches) with a diameter of 25cm (10inches). Plants become densely clumped and sort stemmed with age.^[1] Thick and densely papillate leaves grow in pairs.^[2] The leaves in each pair grow relatively close together. They are grey green in colour, with a rounded keel and may have minute teeth near the tip. The leaf margins are translucent.

Cup-shaped flowers are present in August and September.^[3] They are large and solitarily borne. The petals are yellow in colour. The fruits are 10-locular and have a velvety texture. They are spherical below.

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.

Conservation

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

Notes and References

1. 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
2. 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 . en . 96 . 1–5 . 10.1016/j.sajb.2014.11.001 . 0254-6299. free .
3. Book: Snijman, D.A. . Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Regionn, Vol. 2: the Extra Cape flora . South African National Biodiversity Institute . John Manning, Peter Goldblatt . 2013 . 978-1-919976-74-7 . Strelitzia . Pretoria . Pretoria . 866860203.
4. 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