Argyroderma theartii

Description

Dwarf,rounded cluster-forming succulent plant,bearing -0 grey-green heads up to 0 mm in diameter.Leaf pairs fused into a neat cylindric body (up to x 0 mm) with its greatest diameter near the top.The leaf pairs are free and rounded towards the top.Flowers are produced singly,appearing from a fissure between the leaf pairs.It is rose-like,about an inch ( mm) in diameter,bearing many oblong,narrow,brightly coloured purple-pink petals.The flower is succeeded by its capsule (fruit).Once dried out,the capsule is hygrochastic (term used to explain the opening mechanism of the expanding keels of the capsule lids by means of moisture),only releasing the seed during rain.The capsule ripens during spring and releases seed with each shower of rain.It is top-shaped and - mm in diameter.The seed are very small and protected within the capsule cavities.They are dispersed by falling raindrops which scatter seed in all directions (the method found in water pistols).This is an amazing adaptation (of most mesembs),where the plant makes use of the energy of the falling raindrops to scatter its seed.