Lithops karasmontana
| Lithops karasmontana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| L. karasmontana, Cologne University Botanical Collection | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Subfamily: | Ruschioideae |
| Tribe: | Ruschiae |
| Genus: | Lithops |
| Species: | L. karasmontana |
| Binomial name | |
| Lithops karasmontana N.E.Br. | |
Lithops karasmontana (Karas Mountains living stone) is a species of flowering plant in the ice plant family Aizoaceae, native to Namibia and South Africa (the name refers to the Great Karas Mountains of Namibia). It is a clump-forming succulent growing to 4 cm (2 in) high and spreading indefinitely. The almost stemless leaves appear in pairs, and resemble two grey stones with brown mottling on the flat surfaces. White, narrow-rayed flowers 3–4 cm (1–2 in) in diameter, appear in autumn.[1]
L. karasmontana resists attacks from herbivorous predators by mimicking the local stone formations, in this case quartzite. When not in flower it is extremely difficult to detect.[2]
In temperate regions it must be grown in heat under glass, in conditions similar to those for cactuses. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit[3]
References
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ↑ "Cactus Art - Lithops karasmontana 'Opalina'". Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Lithops karasmontana". Retrieved 26 June 2013.