Description:

• Compact, ± stemless, dwarf, succulent perennials with 1-4 leaf pairs per main branch
• Leaves in a rosette, short, trigonous, lower part produced like a chin, keel and edges obvious but not sharp, pale pinkish brown or whitish in colour; surface with a minutely rough texture; epidermal cells somewhat elevated, stomata and subsidiary cells sunken, outer epidermal wall with a thick crystal layer
• Flowers solitary or up to 3 in succession, terminal, ± 50 mm in diameter; borne on short, winged stalks; open during day
• Sepals 6(8, ± equal
• Petals 3-seriate, slightly connate at base, golden yellow
• Stamens with filaments papillate at base; staminodes present
• Nectary a low crenulate ring
• Ovary flattish on top; placentas parietal; stigmas 6-8, subulate, recurving
• Fruit a 6(8-locular capsule, of Titanopsis type, flat with raised sutures; valves widely spreading or recurved when expanded; expanding keels contiguous towards base, diverging towards apex with broad, membranous margins; covering membranes present; closing bodies 0
• Seeds small, pear-shaped, light brown
• x = 9

• Flowering in winter

• Distinguishing characters:
  • Compact, stemless perennials
  • Leaves keeled, often appearing somewhat shrunken
  • Flowers yellow
  • Pedicels winged

Nomenclature:

• Lapidaria (Dinter & Schwantes) N.E.Br.
  • Brown: 472, 492 (1928)
  • Friedrich: 66 (1970)
  • Herre: 192 (1971)
  • Smith et al.: 110 (1998)

Distribution & Notes:

• Southern Africa: Species 1: Lapidaria margaretae (Schwantes) Dinter & Schwantes, Warmbad area of S Namibia and in adjacent parts of the Northern Cape