Oophytum | |
---|---|
Oophytum nanum | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Aizoaceae |
Subfamily: | Ruschioideae |
Tribe: | Ruschieae |
Genus: |
Oophytum N.E.Br. [1] [2] |
Oophytum is a genus of succulent plants native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. [3] Both species are endemic to the Knersvlakte. Egg-shaped Oophytum plants develop two leaves opposite each other per season. At the end of winter the outer pair forms a sheath from which the new pair of leaves develop. Water cells are visible on the soft leaves giving them a shimmering appearance. The flowers, produced in winter, are white, pink, or a combination of both.
The genus contains two accepted species: