Conophytum minimum

{{Speciesbox

|image = Conophytum minimum - witteberge 5.jpg

|image_caption = Witteberg variety

|genus = Conophytum

|species = minimum

| status = EN

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Young, A.J. |year=2022 |title=Conophytum minimum |volume=2022 |page=e.T202850704A202850719 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T202850704A202850719.en |access-date=1 August 2023}}

|authority = (Thunb.) N.E.Br.

}}

Conophytum minimum is a small South African species of succulent plant of the genus Conophytum.

Description

Small, highly patterned, mat-forming succulent, with a flattened (truncated) or slightly convex, rounded body-shape.

It is covered with distinctive lines, and the wittebergense variety has especially strong markings.

It is closely related to its neighbouring species Conophytum joubertii, Conophytum ficiforme, Conophytum piluliforme, and to the widespread Conophytum truncatum.{{Cite web|url=http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Aizoaceae/27512/Conophytum_wittebergense|title=Conophytum wittebergense}}

Distribution and habitat

File:Conophytum scitulum.jpg

File:Conophytum minimum - Laingsburg RSA 4.jpg

This species is indigenous to the far south-western corner of the Great Karoo region, in the Western Cape of South Africa, in the Ceres Karoo and around Laingsburg.[http://www.mesembs.com/conophytum/ Conophytum piluliforme - distribution map]

They grow primarily in the winter, when rainfall swells them. After flowering, they go into dormancy through the summer, when they are covered in a dry papery sheath. They inhabit extremely well-drained soil, in spots protected by rocks or bushes. They split and crack if they receive too much water.[http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Aizoaceae/27484/Conophytum_minimum Conophytum piluliforme - Information page]

Conophytum minimum

Description

Distribution and habitat

References

Further reading