Vlokia ater
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| Vlokia ater | |
Vlokia ater was the first species described for the genus Vlokia in the Aizoaceae plant family. The generic epithet honors the South African environmental consultant Jan H. J. Vlok (1957-). The specific epithet derives from the latin adjective "ater" for "black" and refers to the black coloring which older leaf leaves assume.
Description
Vlokia ater is a perennial succulent plant. It has short stems, which usually bear a single leaf pair. Its growth habit is compact to spreading.
The dotted, dark green to black leaves are short, trigonous (triangular) and remain on the plants for several years. They are about 0.4 inches (10 mm) long, as well as about 0.3 inches (8 mm) wide and thick. The leaves are fused together and enclose the stem.
The solitary flower is carried in a bract which sits on a short pedicel. There are six sepals. The pink petals are 0.06 inches (1.5 mm) wide. About 60 rose to white, staminodes surround the approximately 16 stamens, which are papillous at the base. The nectaries form a dark green ring.
Vlokia ater blooms in its habitat from August to September. The short-lived flowers open at noon and close at dusk.
The fruits are usually six- (rarely five- or seven-) fold and often blacken with increasing age. The dark brown seeds are pear-shaped and very hard.
Systematics and Distribution
The distribution range of Vlokia ater is a small area at Montagu in the western Little Karoo of Western Cape, South Africa. It grows in open areas of the Fynbos in shallow basins on a sandstone plateau at an altitude of about 4,200 feet (1,300 m). The annual rainfall is around 12 inches (300 mm), with most falling in March and November.
The first description of the genus and species was published in 1994 by Steven A. Hammer (S.A.Hammer) (1951-).[1]
References
- ^ Cactus and Succulent Journal. 66 (6). Los Angeles: 256. 1994.
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Bibliography
- Heidrun E.K. Hartmann, Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae F-Z, Springer Verlag, Berlin / Heidelberg / New York 2001, p. 350, ISBN 3-540-41723-0
- Gideon Smith et al., Mesembs of the World: Illustrated Guide to a Remarkable Succulent Group, Briza Publications 1998, pp. 130-131. ISBN 1-875093-13-3
Weblinks
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