Pleiospilos nelii (Pleiospilos nelii)
Description
Pleiospilos nelii is a succulent perennial which can reach a height of 5–8 cm (2–3 in) and a diameter of about 10 cm (4 in). This stemless plant has one or more pairs of opposite, almost hemispherical, grey-green or brownish leaves. The leaves have a deep fissure in the middle and many small dark spots on the surface. A new pair of leaves is produced each year, to replace the older pair, and occasionally two pairs are produced to form a small clump. This plant closely resembles a small cracked rock (hence the common name), which may have evolved as a defence against predators. The daisy-like flowers are yellow-orange, 6–7.5 cm (2–3 in) across, and emerge from the center of the leaves. The flowers are large in relation to the size of the plant. Each flower opens in the afternoon and closes at sunset, for a number of days.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Caryophyllales
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Family: Aizoaceae
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Genus: Pleiospilos
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