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''Conophytum truncatum'' is a small
''Conophytum truncatum'' can be distinguished from its closest relatives by its truncated, flattened heads, with small fissures.
It is a very variable species. Some population have spots – sometimes arranged into vague lines; others have no markings.
The flowers are usually a pale yellow.
File:2 Conophytum truncatum - S Oudtshoorn - 1.jpg, Typical flat, "truncated" heads of ''Conophytum truncatum''
File:Conophytum scitulum.jpg, Typical, strongly-marked heads of '' Conophytum minimum''
File:Conophytum piluliforme 1.jpg, Typical "pill-shaped" heads of '' Conophytum piluliforme''
File:1 Conophytum ficiforme in cultivation.jpg, Typical "fig-shaped" heads of '' Conophytum ficiforme''
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
n species of succulent plant of the genus ''Conophytum''.
Description
''Conophytum truncatum'' can be distinguished from its closest relatives by its truncated, flattened heads, with small fissures.
It is a very variable species. Some population have spots – sometimes arranged into vague lines; others have no markings.
The flowers are usually a pale yellow.
Relatives and distinguishing features
''Conophytum truncatum'' is closely related to several neighbouring species to the west: '' Conophytum minimum'', white-flowered '' Conophytum joubertii'', purple-flowered '' Conophytum piluliforme'' of the Montagu area, and '' Conophytum ficiforme'' of the Breede River Valley. The rare ''Conophytum joubertii'' (restricted to the Ladismith-Vanwyksdorp area) has small (less than 5 mm x 5 mm), more rounded, convex or cylindrical shaped heads, and has cream or white flowers. The common ''Conophytum piluliforme'' (occurring across the Montagu-Ladismith Karoo) has small (less than 5 mm x 5 mm), obconical, "pill-shaped" ("piluliforme") heads, with few or no spots and pink or purple flowers. The ''Conophytum ficiforme'' (restricted to the Breede River valley) has raised, keeled, "fig-shaped" bodies, with distinctive spots that are clearly arranged in angular, (horseshoe-shaped) lines over their heads. This species also has pink or purple flowers.Distribution and habitat
The easternmost of all '' Conophytum'' species, ''C. truncatum'' is indigenous to theLittle Karoo
The Karoo ( ; from the Afrikaans borrowing of the South Khoekhoe !Orakobab or Khoemana word ''ǃ’Aukarob'' "Hardveld") is a semi-desert natural region of South Africa. No exact definition of what constitutes the Karoo is available, so its ext ...
region, and its surrounds, in the southern Cape of South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
. It ranges from near Montagu in the west, as far east as the Springbokvlakte.
They grow primarily in the winter, when rainfall swell them. After flowering, they go into dormancy through the summer, when they are covered in a dry papery sheath. They inhabit extremely well-drained soil, in spots protected by rocks or bushes.
References
Further reading
*Hammer,S.(2002) ''Dumpling and his wife: New views of the genus Conophytum'' EAE Creative Colour Ltd. . *Hammer,S.(1993) ''The genus Conophytum : A Conograph'' Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria. . *National Botanical Institute of South Africa.(1993) ''List of Southern African Succulent Plants'' Umdaus Press. truncatum Endemic flora of the Cape Provinces Karoo Taxa named by Carl Peter Thunberg Taxa named by N. E. Brown {{Aizoaceae-stub