Description:

• Low succulent perennials, ± stemless or with short branches ± hidden by leaf bases, with tufts of long leaves arising from a large caudex
• Leaves decussate, long, awl-shaped, smooth, dotted, easily desiccating
• Flowers large, showy, single, sessile, with two small bracteoles strongly keeled on back
• Sepals 5, of nearly equal length, inner ones bordered with a broad membrane, outer ones not so, all segments becoming ± dry
• Petals lanceolate, purple with a line of darker purple running down the centre; opening in morning, closing at night
• Stamens with thick, round, basally long-papillate filaments; staminodes basally shortly papillate
• Nectary a very high, deeply crenate, dark green ring
• Ovary with 5 (rarely 6) very high, grooved protuberances; placentas parietal; stigmas 5, greenish yellow, broadly awl-shaped, externally smooth, internally long-haired
• Fruit a 5-locular capsule; covering membranes stiff, translucent; expanding keels widely divergent, reddish; closing bodies very large, whitish; valve wings 0
• Seeds large, round, papillately sculptured

• Flowering winter

• Distinguishing characters:
  • Tufted perennials with tuberous roots
  • Flowers solitary, large, with purple, striped petals
  • Fruit 5-locular with large, white closing bodies

Nomenclature:

• Marlothistella Schwantes
  • Schwantes: 599 (1928)
  • Hammer: 82 (1995)
  • Smith et al.: 222 (1998)
• Ruschia Schwantes in part

Distribution & Notes:

• Southern Africa: Species 1: Marlothistella stenophylla (L.Bolus) S.A.Hammer, restricted to the Little Karoo in the Western Cape, in the districts of Calitzdorp, De Rust, Joubertina, Prince Albert, Uniondale and Willowmore