Lithops lesliei subsp. lesliei flowering

The flowers of this Lithops lesliei subsp. lesliei plant are past their prime. The fleshy oblong sepals have pinkish, translucent tips. The flower emerging from the central fissure between the fused leaves will just about cover the leaves when fully open.

Some of the L. lesliei subsp. lesliei varieties have white flowers. In full bloom, the petal whorls will open widely in the afternoon on sunny days. This show lasts until closing time at sunset in the flowering season, which is late autumn to early winter.

The plant in picture has only two leaf-pairs, but branched clumps may grow to ten of them; or just remain unbranched, producing its single flower per annum. The size of a leaf-pair varies from 2 cm to 4 cm in diameter (Smith, et al, 1998).