Publication: Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 27: 124 1997.
Description
Jacobsenia vaginata (syn: Drosanthemopsis vaginata, Anisocalyx vaginalus) is a much-branched, compact succulent shrublet up to 15 cm tall, with wand like internodes and old leaves persistent.
Leaves: Opposite, frosted white, fat, soft, finely elk horn-like papillate, partly keeled, joined at the base and about 25 mm long.
Flowers: White, 40 mm in diameter, with unequal sepals and pure-white erect stamens.
Fruits (capsules): 9- to 10- chambered. The capsule valves have awn-like wings, the covering membranes are well-developed and closing bodies are absent.
Taxonomy notes: The single species was first described by L. Bolus as Drosanthemum vaginatum in 1935, however the capsule is 9- to 10- locular whereas in Drosanthemum the capsule has 4-6 loculi, and the species was later placed in a new genus as Anisocalyx vaginatus; this name was corrected to read Drosanthemopsis vaginata (L.Bol.) Rauschert (Taxon 31: 555) and then further later as Jacobsenia vaginata (L. Bolus) Ihlenf. (Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 27: 124 1997 ).
Origin and Habitat
Riethuis and Adjacent areas, Namaqualand, South Africa.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
- Doreen Court, “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa”, CRC Press, 01 June 2000