Argyroderma fissum, the vingervygie

The cup-shaped flowers of Argyroderma fissum grow solitary from the slit in the leaf pair, where the new leaf pairs also emerge. The sepals are fused into a short, thick flower tube below the petals.

At least two whorls of soft, oblong petals arise from the top of the calyx tube. The white filaments of the stamens grow in a ring in the flower centre just inside the petal bases. The small stigmas are sessile, growing on top of the ovary. The flowers may be purple or orange, i.e. the petals; the flower centre is white.

A. fissum occurs throughout the distribution range of the Argyroderma genus and natural hybridisation among the species occurs easily.

A variety of hybrid flower colours may be seen when the plants bloom. Flowering happens in autumn to early winter. This flower was seen in the Hester Malan Succulent Garden in August, well north of the natural distribution of the species (Frandsen, 2017; Smith, et al, 1998; Herre, 1971; iNaturalist).

(There is more about this plant elsewhere on this Site. Access it by entering the plant name in the Search Box.)