Glottiphyllum is a genus of about 57 species of succulent subtropical of the family Aizoaceae. It is closely related to the Gibbaeum and Faucaria genera. The name comes from ancient Greek γλωττίς glottis "tongue" and φύλλον phyllon "leaf". The species are native to South Africa, specifically to Cape Province and the Karoo desert. They grow in rocks and soils incorporating slate, sandstone and quartz. Rainfall in their native areas is between , most of which falls in March and November.
Description
Glottiphyllum plants have thick, soft leaves arranged in pairs that are low to the ground and often graze the soil surface. They also have
rhizomes. They sport yellow flowers with narrow petals in the autumn and winter. The flowers are sometimes fragrant and around 5 cm in diameter. The species readily interbreed, making hybridization easy.
Species
Glottiphyllum species accepted by the Plants of the World Online as of November 2022:1
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Glottiphyllum carnosum
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Glottiphyllum cruciatum
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Glottiphyllum depressum
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Glottiphyllum difforme
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Glottiphyllum fergusoniae
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Glottiphyllum grandiflorum
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Glottiphyllum linguiforme
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Glottiphyllum longum
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Glottiphyllum neilii
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Glottiphyllum nelii
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Glottiphyllum oligocarpum
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Glottiphyllum peersii
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Glottiphyllum regium
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Glottiphyllum salmii
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Glottiphyllum suave
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Glottiphyllum surrectum
Culture
Glottiphyllum plants can be grown in small pots in poor soil with sand and clay. They require full sun, and need moderate watering in summer and none in winter (during which the plant undergoes a necessary rest period). If overwatered, the plants become deformed.
==Gallery of species==
Bibliography
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Heidrun E. K. Hartmann : Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae F-Z, Éditions Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York, 2001,
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Gideon Smith u.a. : Mesembs of the World: Illustrated Guide to a Remarkable Succulent Group, Éditions Springer, 1998,
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Heidrun E.K. Hartmann, Horst Gölling: A monograph on the genus Glottiphyllum (Mesembryanthema, Aizoaceae). In: Bradleya. Band 11, 1993, S. 1–49
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