''Pachyphytum oviferum'', the sugaralmond plant or moonstone, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of plant in the genus ''
Pachyphytum
Pachyphytum is a small genus of succulents in the family Crassulaceae, native to Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north b ...
''.
The meaning of the name ''Pachyphytum oviferum'' is ''thick plant bearing eggs''.
It comes from
Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
, in the rocky cliffs of the state of
San Luis Potosi at 1200 meters altitude.
Description
The leaves are
succulent
In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', meani ...
and egg-shaped, which gave its name to the species.
The stems (20 cm long, 1 cm thick) rise then fall with about 15 leaves. These leaves are 3 to 5 cm long, 1.8 to 3 cm wide and 8 to 17 mm thick.
Leaves are pale blue-green to bluish-purple, looking like a sugared almond confection.
The inflorescence consists of a 30 cm stem bearing scarlet, bell-shaped flowers.
References
Bibliography
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External links
Crassulaceae
{{Crassulaceae-stub