Description :

• Compact, dwarf perennials forming tufts with many branches bearing a cluster of long-lived leaf pairs
• Leaves opposite, those of a pair dissimilar, ± boat-shaped, keeled, flat or slightly convex on upper surface, often widened towards apex and lobed or toothed on margins, light grey to bluish green; epidermis papillate; outer epidermal wall with a thick crystal layer
• Flowers solitary, terminal, ± 60 mm in diameter, with ebracteate pedicel up to 50 mm long; opening around mid-afternoon and staying open until nightfall
• Sepals 5, unequal
• Petals 1-seriate, light- to golden-yellow, rarely white
• Stamens 4-seriate, epapillate
• Nectary a crenulate, yellowish green ring
• Ovary convex on top; placentas parietal; stigmas 5, greenish, reflexed towards tips
• Fruit a 5-locular capsule of Delosperma type; covering membranes vestigial, as narrow ledges spreading from septa, with weak, central column; expanding keels parallel but not touching, yellowish, broadening towards tips; valve wings broad; closing bodies 0
• Seeds glittering, minutely textured
• x = 9

• Flowering in autumn

• Distinguishing characters :
  • Compact perennials with internodes enclosed by leaves which are asymmetric, toothed, erect, sometimes whitish

Nomenclature:

• Schwantesia Dinter
  • Dinter: 234 (1927)
  • Friedrich: 122 (1970)
  • Herre: 280 (1971)
  • Zimmermann: 81 (1996a)
  • Zimmermann: 257 (1996b)
  • Smith et al.: 152 (1998)

Distribution & Notes:

• Southern Africa : Species 8, occurs in the Northern Cape, from Bushmanland in the east, through the Richtersveld, to the southern parts of Namibia