Conophytum jucundum

Conophytum jucundum is a species of succulent plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. As its synonym Conophytum gratum, the pleasing cone plant, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[2]

Conophytum jucundum
Conophytum jucundum with flowers
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Aizoaceae
Genus:	Conophytum
Species:	C. jucundum
Binomial name
Conophytum jucundum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br.

Etymology

The genus name is derived from the Latin "conus" (cone) and Greek "phyto" (plant),^{[citation needed]} while the species Latin name jucundum means pleasant, jocund.

Description

Conophytum jucundum are dwarf plants with small succulent evergreen leaves, forming in their development small colonies. These plants can reach a height of 6–15 cm (2.4–5.9 in), grow in the form of rounded stones and hide themselves among the rocks and in crevices, The flowers are pink or pale pink and the flowering period extends from late Summer to mid Fall.

Distribution and habitat

This species grows in southwestern Namibia and the northwestern Cape Provinces of South Africa^[3] at an elevation of 700 to 1100 m.

Synonyms

• Conophytum jucundum subsp. jucundum
• Mesembryanthemum jucundum N.E.Br. (1920)
• Conophytum admiraalii L.Bolus (1965)
• Conophytum geyeri L.Bolus (1963)
• Conophytum gratum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br.
• Mesembryanthemum gratum N.E.Br. (1920)
• Conophytum jacobsenianum Tischer [es] (1956)
• Conophytum longistylum N.E.Br. (1930)
• Conophytum maximum Tischer (1957)
• Conophytum orbicum N.E.Br. ex Tischer (1955)
• Conophytum praegratum Tischer (1954)
• Conophytum rarum N.E.Br. (1933)
• Conophytum robustum Tischer