Conicosia pugioniformis
in E. P. Phillips, Gen. S. Afr. Fl. Pl., 247. 1926.
Common names: Pigroot
IntroducedIllustrated
Basionym: Mesembryanthemum pugioniforme Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 1: 488. 1753
Synonyms: Conicosia capitata (Haworth) Sc hwantes Mesembryanthemum capitatum Haworth
Plants perennial. Roots single, to 30 × 1–2.5 cm. Leaves: cauline leaves scattered, crowded toward end of stems; blade gray-green, grooved or flat adaxially, 15–20 × 0.5–2 cm, apex acute, glabrous. Inflorescences: peduncle to 12 cm. Flowers lasting 2–4 days, 5–9 cm diam.; petals 200–250, in concentric rows, shining yellow; stamens to 10 mm; ovary 10–20-loculed. Seeds 75–200, dark brown, 1–1.8 mm, ca. 25% located within paired pockets. 2n = 18.
Phenology: Flowering spring–fall.
Habitat: Sandy places, especially coastal dunes
Elevation: 0-100 m
Distribution
Introduced; Calif., Africa.
Discussion
In California floras, Herrea elongata (Haworth) L. Bolus and Mesembryanthemum elongatum Haworth have been misapplied to Conicosia pugioniformis.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.