Fenestraria
Fenestraria rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca
Fenestraria rhopalophylla is the only species of the monotypic genus Fenestraria from the family of Mesembryanthemum plants ( Aizoaceae ). The botanical name of the genus derives from the Latin word " fenestra " for "Window " from and points to the so-called window, located on the rounded leaf tips. The epithet of the species is derived from the Greek words " ρόπαλον " ( rhopalon ) for " mace " and for " φύλλον " ( phyllon ) for "Leaf " and refers to the club- shaped leaves.
Description
Fenestraria rhopalophylla grows compactly to lawn making sunk in the ground. From the dark green, lobed foliage leaves only the left at the top of the window is usually visible. The leaves have a smooth waxy surface.
The single (rarely two or three) flowers are borne of a long peduncle. There are bracts present. The petals are white or yellow. Fenestraria rhopalophylla flowers in their home from July to September.
The 8 - to 16 - fächrigen capsule fruits resemble those of the genus Leipoldtia, however, have small closure body. The smooth whitish to light brown seeds are slightly tapered.
Systematics, chromosome number and distribution
The distribution area of Fenestraria rhopalophylla extends from Lüderitz in Namibia in a narrow strip south through Namaqualand and the Northern Cape Province in South Africa. It grows in coastal aeolian sand or gravel, rarely also in recesses on the Dolomites. The annual rainfall is below 100 mm, with the majority falls in winter.
The chromosome number.
The first description of genus and species was published in 1925 by Nicholas Edward Brown. The size and color of the flowers, two subspecies are distinguished:
- Fenestraria rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla
- Fenestraria rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca
Fenestraria rhopalophylla subsp. aurantiaca has large, golden yellow flowers with up to 70 millimeters in diameter. Fenestraria rhopalophylla subsp. rhopalophylla white flowers with small flowers that reach only diameter of 18 to 30 millimeters.