Conophytum violaciflorum

The flowers of Conophytum violaciflorum emerge during autumn from the gap between the lobes at the top of the thick leaf bodies. The flowers have long, erect petal tubes. The petals are joined for most of their length, sustaining the corolla tube, up to a point where they spread in a violet or purple salver shape. The specific name violaciflorum (Latin) means violet or purple flower. In this photo the flowers that open on bright sunny days, are not fully open.

The petal tube is supported at the base by brownish sepals, also united, clasping the corolla tube for nearly half its length. Fairly large seed capsules for Conophytum, already opened, are visible among the leaves of this small clump. This plant was seen among quartzite rocks near Springbok during April (Smith, et al, 1998).