Xerophyte

Description

Echidnopsis ericifloraSN|30338]]SN|30342]] is a small succulents with characteristic urceolate (jug shaped) flowers borne on narrow stems which root along their length.

Similar Species

E. ericiflora is very closely allied to Echidnopsis squamulataSN|30342]]SN|30418]] and Echidnopsis urceolataSN|30342]]SN|30338]]. It differs from the latter very obviously in the stems and from both it can be separated readily by the circular and not pentagonal cross-section of the flower. It can also be distinguished from these by its rather fleshier flower which has especially thick lobes. Vegetatively it is more or less indistinguishable from E. squamulata, having identical leaves and only slightly thinner stems. Apart from the above-mentioned differences the pedicel is also much shorter than in this species. E. ericiflora, with its repent stem, short pedicel and shorter corolla is the most unspecialised of the closely-related group to which it belongs. All three species are of relatively restricted distribution.

Note

Echidnopsis ericifloraSN|30418]]SN|30342]] is so named because of the resemblance to the flowers of heather (Erica spp.)

Flowers

Very small, fascicled, sub-sessile, produced near the stems summits. Pedicel 1-1.5 mm long. Sepals ovate-acute, 1.5 mm long. Corolla urceolate, circular and not pentagonal in cross-section, 5-8 mm long, tube 4-4.5 mm across, narrowing to less than 2mm at mouth, outside wine-red, glabrous. Inside reddish to dart red bottom of the tube inside with scattered hairs. Corolla-lobes basally reddish, apically yellowish, erect, deltoid, 1-2 mm long slightly spreading when fully expanded. Corona pentagonal, 2.8-3 mm in diameter. Inner corona-lobes yellow at the base, purplish-red and papillose at the apex. Outer corona-lobes yellowish-reddish-black, basally yellow with t black margins, lobes slightly divided in the middle, enclosing the nectar cavity.

Stem

Rooting over the whole length. to 20 cm long, 4 - 8 mm across finely papillose. Tubercles arranged in 6 - 8 ribs, covered with hexagonal tubercles each topped with a rudimentary ovate-deltoid, rapidly caducuous, finely papillose leaf.