Oophytum oviforme

Description

Oophytum oviforme is a species of Magnoliopsida first described by Nicholas Edward Brown, and given the simplified Asian name by Nicholas Edward Brown. Oophytum oviforme belongs to the genus Oophytum, and the family Aizoaceae. Oophytum is a genus of succulent plants native to South Africa. Both species are endemic to the Knersvlakte. Egg-shaped Oophytum plants develop two leaves opposite each other per season. At the end of winter the outer pair forms a sheath from which the new pair of leaves develop. Water cells are visible on the soft leaves giving them a shimmering appearance. The flowers, produced in winter, are white, pink, or a combination of both. The genus contains two accepted species: Oophytum nanum Oophytum oviforme