Family: Aizoaceae
Sarcozona
Citation:
J. Black, Trans. R. Soc. S. Aust. 58:176 (1934).
Derivation: Greek sarkos, flesh; zone, involucre.
Synonymy: Not Applicable Common name: Pigfaces.
Description:
Partly succulent non-papillose shrubs with branches erect or the lower ones prostrate and rarely rooting at the nodes, with opposite very succulent sessile trigonous exstipulate leaves which are connate at the base; the uppermost pair of leaves below the flowers much connate and forming a 2-lobed involucre round the base of the flower.
Flowers terminal, solitary or in threes; perianth lobes 4 or 5, of which 2 are leaf-like and the others with scarious margins, free; stamens numerous; staminodes numerous, petaloid, free, showy, red, white towards the base; ovary inferior, 4- or 5-celled, with numerous parietal ovules; styles 4 or 5.
Capsule fleshy, indehiscent; seeds embedded in mucilage, reticulate or rough.
Distribution:
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2 species, endemic to Australia.
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Biology:
No text
Taxonomic notes:
G. D. Rowley's proposal, Nat. Cact. & Succ. J. 33 (1978) 6-9, that this genus be combined with Carpobrotus merits consideration but the status of S. bicarinata (see note to that species) probably needs further investigation before a decision is taken. A. Prescott & J. Venning (1984) are followed here in keeping the genera separate. (S. T. Blake (1969) Contrib. Qld Herb. 7:1-65).
Key to Species:
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1. Ovary and fruit prominently and acutely 2-keeled; involucre often poorly developed and not enclosing the flower; petaloid staminodes acute or acuminate; leaves nearly smooth |
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S. bicarinata 1. |
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1. Ovary and fruit not keeled; involucre well-defined and commonly at least half-enclosing the ovary and fruit; petaloid staminodes usually obtuse; leaves with abundant raised dots |
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S. praecox 2. |
Author:
Not yet available
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