CLERETUM

Cleretum N.E. Br., Gard. Chron., ser. 3, 78: 412. 1925.

13 species

Cleretum bellidiforme

Cleretum bellidiforme (Burm.f.) Rowley, Baileya 20: 139. 1979; Dorotheanthus bellidiformis (Burm.f.) Br., Moller’s Deutsche Gartn.-Zeitung 43: 400 1928; Mesembryanthemum criniflorum L.f., Suppl. Pl. 259. 1782; Stigmatocarpum criniflorum (L. f.) Bolus, S. African Gard. 17: 326. 1927.

Annual herb, usually short-lived, succulent, usually all parts glisten in sun giving the appearance of icicles and are conspicuously papillate (bladder-like cells that store water), glabrous. Stem prostrate or ascending, ca. 25 cm long. Leaves basal and cauline, ca. 7+ cm long, alternate, sessile, spathulate, apex subacute, fleshy, papillae more conspicuous on lower surface, only midvein distinct, green becoming reddish with age, giving the plant colour. Inflorescence solitary, axillary or terminal on long pedicel, ca. 4 cm long, pedicel papillate. Calyx tube (Hypanthium) hemispherical, green, studded with papillae. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, epigynous, ca. 5 cm in diameter. Calyx lobes 5, 1.0-2.0 cm long (in young flowers 6-11 mm long), unequal, triangular or lanceolate, green bearing numerous papillae. True petals absent. Apparent petals are petaloid staminodes, 40+, connate at the base, various colours from white to pink, orange, yellow. Androecium has 2-3 rings: outer ring is sterile petaloid flattened staminodes, 40+, ca. 2 cm long, linear, connate at the base, of various bright colours; inner one or two rings of fertile stamens, 100+, filaments ca. 2.5 mm long, red or purplish, connate at base, anthers 0.5 mm long, dark purple, versatile or dorsifixed, reniform. Pistil 1, 5-carpellate, ovary fused with hypanthium, inferior, convex, 5- locular, placentation parietal, many ovules in each loculus; stigmas 5, erect, filiform. Fruit capsule, persistent, valves 5, dehiscence loculicidal. Seeds numerous (100-200), black or dark brown, 1 mm, smooth to rough with minute tubercles.

Flowering and Fruiting: February to April
Common Names: Ice Plant, Livingston Daisy, Mesembs, Livingstone Daisy; Burf (Hindi, Punjabi)