Xerophyta elegans

Xerophyta elegans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Pandanales
Family: Velloziaceae
Genus: Xerophyta
Species:
X. elegans
Binomial name
Xerophyta elegans
Synonyms
  • Barbacenia elegans (Balf.) Pax[2]
  • Hypoxis barbacenioides Harv. ex Baker
  • Talbotia elegans Balf.[3]
  • Talbotiopsis elegans (Balf.) L.B. Sm.[4]
  • Vellozia elegans (Balf.) Oliv. ex Hook. f.[5]
  • Vellozia elegans var. elegans
  • Vellozia elegans var. minor (Baker) Baker[6]
  • Vellozia talbotii Balf.
  • Xerophyta minuta Baker

Xerophyta elegans is a species of plants in the family Velloziaceae. It is endemic to South Africa and its natural distribution and habitat is restricted to Drakensberg Mountains in Mpumalanga province. The plant is evergreen and similar to other members of its family it is able to express high level or tolerance against desiccation and even long treatment with sulphuric acid.[7] Under wet conditions, its leaves are able to revive and restart its photosynthetic abilities. Talbotia produces narrow but long, leathery leaves and white star-shaped flowers with yellow stamens. The seeds are hooked thus enhancing dispersal by animals.

  1. ^ Baker, John Gilbert Journal of Botany, British and Foreign 13: 234. 1875
  2. ^ Pax Nat. Pflanzenfam. (ed. 2) 15(a): 434 1930
  3. ^ Balf. Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh 9: 192 1868
  4. ^ L.B. Sm. Phytologia 57(2): 152 1985
  5. ^ Oliv. ex Hook. f. Bot. Mag. 95, t. 5803 1869
  6. ^ Baker Fl. Cap. 6: 246 1896
  7. ^ Hallam, N. D.; Gaff, D. F. (1 January 1978). "Regeneration of Chloroplast Structure in Talbotia elegans: A Desiccation- Tolerant Plant". The New Phytologist. 81 (3): 657–662. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1978.tb01640.x. JSTOR 2433860.