Delosperma basuticum

The flower of Delosperma basuticum has one row of narrowly obovate petals, purple in colour and shiny. In the flower centre an erect, purple cone of stamens, staminodes and styles is topped by anthers and stigmas. Tiny, purple, inner petals that curve outwards, surround the central cone.

Some still succulent fruit capsules from recent flowers are next to the flower in picture. Some of these show green, pointed sepals, holding the capsules in position to ripen and disperse their seeds when the time comes. Delosperma sepals are notably uneven in length.

The almost cylindrical leaves taper towards their tips; the inner surfaces often being flat. Leaf surfaces have tiny bladder cells, which are water storage surface cells (Smith, et al, 1998; www.bioculturaldiversity.co.za).