Ledebouria mokobulanensis (Ledebouria mokobulanensis)
Description
Solitary, bulbous plant, with small bulbs, 18 × 23 mm, producing 1, or occasionally 2, deciduous, round leaves, which remain tightly appressed to the soil surface. The attractive leaves are mostly reddish green, with many, small pits, which are darker red, giving the leaves a very distinctive appearance. The intensity of the colour of the leaves is influenced by both drought and the amount of sun they receive. Pitted leaves are unusual in the genus and are only recorded from one other species of Ledebouria viz. L. galpinii.A single, erect inflorescence (flower spike) is produced in early spring (August to September in South Africa), together with the emergence of the leaves. The unbranched inflorescence is topped by several, pale mauve to lilac, star-shaped florets (small flowers). The individual florets are each attached to the peduncle (main stalk) by a lilac pedicel (flower stalk). Purple to lilac filaments (anther stalks), extend from the mouth of the florets, which are topped off by pale yellow anthers, which release the pollen. The flowering period is limited to approximately 3 to 4 weeks, after which the seed is produced in small, purple-green capsules, which split open to release the small, dark brown, glossy, wrinkled seeds.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Asparagales
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Family: Asparagaceae
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Genus: Ledebouria
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