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Xerophyta argentea

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A little plant I found in Zimbabwe.


Habitat from Zimbabweflora.co.zw.

Author: L.B. Smith & E.S. Ayensu, 1974
Family:  VELLOZIACEAE
Origin:  Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe
Soil:  Grit - Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  5 Centimetres
Height:  40 Centimetres
Flower:  White - Pink - Blue
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Vellozia argentea, Wild, 1964

This member of the Velloziaceae family was given this name by Lyman Bradford Smith and Edward Solomon Ayensu in 1974. It is found in the Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe along with Eswatini and surrounding South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The stem can grow to five centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 40 centimetres in height. The flowers are from white over pink to blue.

The generic name is from the Greek xeros; 'arid', and phytos; 'plant' an allusion to its being drought-tolerant. The species name means 'silvery'.


The flower from Zimbabweflora.co.zw
.