Xerophyte

Leaves

Rudimentary ovate-deltoid, revolute.

Description

Echidnopsis squamulataSN|30338]]SN|30418]] is a crawling perennial succulent that form extensive mats as its stems tend to root along their entire length. It is a very variable species, which may perhaps be divided into 2 subspecies.

Inflorescences

Pedicels 5-8 mm, 1 mm thick, dotted with reddish-brown.

Similar Species

E. squamulata is very closely allied to Echidnopsis ericifloraSN|30342]]SN|30342]] and Echidnopsis urceolataSN|30418]]SN|30338]]. It differs from E. ericiflora very obviously by the pentagonal and not circular cross-section of the flower. Vegetatively it is more or less indistinguishable from E. ericiflora, having identical leaves and only slightly thicker stems. Apart from the above-mentioned differences the pedicel is also much longer than in this species. E. squamulata, with its repent stem, long pedicel and longer corolla is the most specialised of the closely-related group to which it belongs. This species shows the extremes to which these plants will go to accommodate specific pollinators

Tubercles

Flat, arranged in 6-8(-9) ribs.

Stem

Creeping, rooting almost over their whole length. green to brownish-green, to 45 cm long and 5-8 mm thick.