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:  2 species, endemic to Australia.

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:

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	S. bicarinata 1.
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	S. praecox 2.

Author: Not yet available