Description:

• Dwarf, tufted, ± stemless perennials; with fibrous roots
• Leaves opposite, ± free, trigonous, elongate, apically rounded, greyish to light green; epidermis ± smooth, with a thick crystal layer in outer wall, stomata at base of slightly elevated subsidiary cells
• Flowers 1-3, often in ternate dichasia, shortly pedunculate, bibracteate (laterals also), ± 20 mm in diameter; opening for first time in morning and remaining open continuously for ± 3 weeks
• Sepals 5, unequal, shortly connate above ovary
• Petals in several series, linear-spatulate, often shorter than sepals, emarginate, relatively stiff with short hairs at base, white, rarely pale pink; passing into white staminodes and stamens, and all fused into a short tube or hypanthium
• Stamens and staminodes stiff, remaining in that position during entire anthesis
• Nectary obscure
• Ovary flattish or slightly convex; placentas basal; stigmas 5, small, broadly 3-angled, green
• Fruit a 5-locular capsule, of Delosperma type, but expanding keels parallel, stout, yellow, diverging distally; covering membranes vestigial, developed as rather broad rectangular rims of septa; sutures slightly raised in centre; valves recurved when expanded; valve wings broad; closing devices 0
• Seeds ± 1 mm long, somewhat pear-shaped to cordate, light yellow, minutely textured

• Flowering sporadically over a long period during winter months

• Distinguishing characters:
  • Compact, clump-forming perennials
  • Leaves smooth; petals stiff
  • Flowers, once open, do not close again

Nomenclature:

• Nelia Schwantes
  • Schwantes: 92 (1928)
  • Herre: 228 (1971)
  • Smith et al.: 150 (1998)
• Sterropetalum N.E.Br.
  • Brown: 266 (1928)

Distribution & Notes:

• Southern Africa: Species 4, Richtersveld in the northwestern part of the Northern Cape, and extends southwards into Namaqualand