Conophytum burgeri
| Conophytum burgeri | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conophytum burgeri in cultivation | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Genus: | Conophytum |
| Species: | C. burgeri |
| Binomial name | |
| Conophytum burgeri | |
Conophytum burgeri is a small, endangered, South African species of succulent plant, of the genus Conophytum.
Description
An onion-shaped, single-bodied, succulent plant, that is possibly the most unusual of all the species of the Conophytum genus. It is slow-growing and gradually subdivides. It varies in size and can reach the size of a small onion.
Unlike other Conophytums, it is spring & summer growing, and is dormant in its pale leaf-sheath during winter. It produces a purple flower in early autumn, with the aroma of honey.
Distribution
This species is endemic to Bushmanland in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa, where it is known from the mines of the Aggeneys valley (between Sprinbok and Pofadder). This was the farm of the Burger family, after which it is named. Here it grows in rocky quartz-covered clay-soil, in direct sun.[1]
Cultivation
This species requires occasional watering in Spring & Summer, and a dry dormancy in Winter. They grow well in shallow pots of extremely coarse, well-drained soil. They prefer direct sun, and air movement.
It shrivels when it needs more water; and it splits open when it receives too much.[2]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Conophytum burgeri. |
References
Further reading
- Hammer,S.(2002) Dumpling and his wife: New views of the genus Conophytum EAE Creative Colour Ltd. ISBN 0-9539326-1-3.
- Hammer,S.(1993) The genus Conophytum : A Conograph Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria. ISBN 0-620-17633-4.
- National Botanical Institute of South Africa.(1993) List of Southern African Succulent Plants Umdaus Press. ISBN 1-919 766-04-9