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Carpobrotus muirii

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Species of succulent

Carpobrotus muirii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Carpobrotus
Species: C. muirii
Binomial name
Carpobrotus muirii
(L. Bolus) L. Bolus

Carpobrotus muirii (commonly known as dwarf sourfig or Dwerg Suurvy) is a succulent perennial of the family Aizoaceae, native to the Overberg region in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Description

This species of Carpobrotus has distinctively slender (40–80mm x 5–6 mm), incurved, glaucous-green leaves.

Its receptacle is subglobose to ovate, with a base that narrows rather abruptly where it meets the stalk. The ovary has a top that is usually flat-to-depressed in the centre.

Related species

Of the other six Carpobrotus species which occur in South Africa, this species is particularly closely related to Carpobrotus deliciosus, which has a similar shaped receptacle, but the latter is a much larger plant that occurs further to the east, mainly in the Eastern Cape. The dwarf sourfig has much thinner, narrower leaves, and only occurs in the Western Cape.

Distribution

This species has a small distribution range, being restricted to the Overberg region in the Western Cape, South Africa.

It occurs on coastal limestones near the towns of Heidelberg and Riversdale. Along the coast it can be found from Arniston and De Hoop, as far east as Stilbaai. Here it is found in coastal limestone or Strandveld vegetation, usually within ten kilometres of the coast.

Its sweet edible fruits are grazed by tortoises and other southern African animals, and are also used locally to make traditional preserves.

Its natural range is declining due to alien invasive species and wheat farming.

References

  1. Wisura, W. & Glen, H.F. (1993). The South African species of Carpobrotus (Mesembryanthema-Aizoaceae). Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium 15:76–107.
  2. "Carpobrotus edulis | PlantZAfrica.com". www.plantzafrica.com. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  3. "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
Taxon identifiers
Carpobrotus muirii
Mesembryanthemum muirii


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