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Avonia papyracea

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This is Avonia papyracea ssp. namaensis,
I found it in Rehoboth.


Growing fast, but with too little sun.


Flower on a wild plant I found in western South Africa.

Author: Gordon Douglas Rowley 1994
Family:  Portulacaceae
Habitat:   Western South Africa, Southern Namibia
Soil:   Grit
Water:   Minimum
Sun:   Maximum
Thickness:  8 millimetres
Height:  10-15 centimetres
Flower:   Whitish-Yellow
Propagate:   Seeds/Cuttings
Names:   -
Synonyms:  Anacampseros papyracea, Ernst Heinrich Friedrich Meyer ex. Otto Wilhelm Sonder 1862.
Anacampseros papyracea
subsp. namaensis, Gerbaulet.
Anacampseros papyracea subsp. namaensis, Gerbaulet
Anacampseros papyracea
subsp. perplexa, Dreher.

This little member of the Portulacaceae family was given this name by Gordon Douglas Rowley in 1994. It is found in the western part of South Africa and southern part of Namibia. It grows in grit with little water and lots of sun. The branches can grow to ten or even fifteen centimetres. The pale yellow  flowers are short lived; not more than a hour.

The two subspecies are: Avonia papyracea subsp. namaensis, G.D. Rowley and Avonia papyracea subsp. papyracea, G.D. Rowley 1994. At present, I haven't figured out the difference...

This bright white scales; stipules, reflect the sunlight, protecting the plant in its harsh environment. Underneath each, a tiny leaf can be found.


Rather young plant, given enough sun.