Description:

• Compact, dwarf, clump-forming perennials developing few to many short branches, each with only 1 leaf pair in the dry season
• Leaves opposite, leaf pairs connate towards base, distinctly keeled, 3-sided, upper surface ± triangular, sometimes with tiny, often reddish teeth along margins and keels, papillate
• Flowers solitary, erect, bracteate, up to 70 mm in diameter; opening from midday until dusk
• Sepals 5
• Petals all shades of yellow to cream or pure white, often purplish suffused, particularly sides of petals, all colours may turn red with age
• Stamens erect to connivent
• Nectary a crenulate ring
• Ovary: placentas parietal; stigmas 10-15, narrowly triangular
• Fruit a 10-15-locular capsule, of Titanopsis type; with tiny endocarpal closing bodies; covering membranes thin, flexible, collapsing into empty seed chambers once seeds have been dispersed; valve wings taper from broad bases to tips
• Seeds pear-shaped, smooth

• Flowering in winter

• Distinguishing characters:
  • Compact perennials with keeled leaves
  • Flowers yellow, tinged with purple or red
  • Fruit with robust stalks, closing bodies small or absent

Nomenclature:

• Ihlenfeldtia H.E.K.Hartmann
  • Hartmann: 47 (1992)
  • Smith et al.: 108 (1998)
• Cheiridopsis N.E.Br. in part

Distribution & Notes:

• Southern Africa: Species 2, Northern Cape, and prefer quartzitic soils in Bushmanland and the adjacent areas of Namaqualand