Description:

• Prostrate perennials, with long orange-coloured or yellow internodes with a spongy persistent primary cortex; adventitious roots many, arising from nodes of trailing branches
• Leaves fusiform, characteristically broadest towards middle and tapering towards both ends; stomata not sunken
• Flowers solitary on short side branches, bracteate; opening midday, closing in afternoon
• Sepals (4)5(6)
• Petals in different shades of yellow or purple, rarely white
• Stamens: inner filaments papillate at base, yellow, white or salmon-pink; staminodes 0
• Nectary a weakly crenulate ring
• Ovary: placentas parietal
• Fruit a 10(25-locular capsule, of Leipoldtia type but with small closing bodies
• x = 9

• Flowering in winter and spring

• Distinguishing characters:
  • Perennials with trailing stems
  • Leaves tapering towards both ends
  • Fruit 10-25-locular, with angular valves, appearing squarish on top

Nomenclature:

• Jordaaniella H.E.K.Hartmann
  • Hartmann: 57 (1983)
  • Hartmann: 1 (1983)
  • Hartmann: 321 (1984)
  • Smith et al.: 266 (1998)
• Cephalophyllum N.E.Br. in part

Distribution & Notes:

• Southern Africa: Species 4, mainly on coastal sands in Strandveld and in the succulent Karoo, restricted to S Namibia, Northern and Western Cape