THE TEESSIDE BRANCH PHOTO GALLERY

Opthalmophyllum pubescens

Opthalmophyllums are now regarded as being included within the genus Conophytum. These two pictures, supposedly both forms of the same species, serve to illustrate several points:-

• The coin on the left shows that the plant (bodies and flowers) is a true miniature (for those who don't know the coin is about 0.9" (22mm) in diameter)
  

• The single pair of heads of the form shown right is about the same diameter as the coin in the picture on the left, showing the variation in size between different forms
  

• The windowed tops of the bodies can be easily seen in the right hand picture. In habitat the plant would be buried with only the translucent windows exposed. This is typical of many of the Mesembs and offers the plant protection, whilst still allowing photosynthesis to occur within the plant
  

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