Typical features of the genus include grey or blue-green succulent leaves, that are 3-sided or triangular in cross-section and are often covered with tiny darker transparent spots. Occasionally the leaves also have toothed margins.
Another common feature is the small, year-round, pink or white flower clusters.[1]
The genus can be distinguished with certainty though, by its seed capsules. As with most Aizoaceae, these are hygrochastic, with triangular valves that open and close with changes in humidity. The seed capsule valves of Ruschia have a little closing body to pull them closed when they dry again, and two keels on either side of the closing body, which expand and push open the valve. There is a covering membrane too, which partially covers the seeds, to prevent them all being washed away immediately.
In contrast, the seed chambers of Delosperma have no covering membrane, leaving the seeds entirely exposed when the capsule opens. The seed chamber valves of genus Lampranthus have only the two expanding keels while the closing body is present, but not visible, and Lampranthus valves also have wings on either side.
Speciesedit
Over 400 species are described, though many have subsequently been moved to the new genus Antimima. 208 species are accepted by Plants of the World Online.[2]
Species occur in Lesotho, South Africa (including the Cape Provinces, Free State and Northern Provinces) and Namibia:[2]
Ruschia maxima
Ruschia karooica
Ruschia lineolata
Ruschia spinosa
Ruschia uncinata
Ruschia pulvinaris
Ruschia crassa
Referencesedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ruschia.
^J. Manning: Field Guide to Fynbos. Struik, 2007. p.334.
^ ab"Ruschia Schwantes | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
January 01, 1970
ruschia, genus, succulent, plant, family, aizoaceae, indigenous, dryer, parts, southern, africa, pulvinaris, scientific, classification, kingdom, plantae, clade, tracheophytes, clade, angiosperms, clade, eudicots, order, caryophyllales, family, aizoaceae, subf. Ruschia is a genus of succulent plant in the family Aizoaceae indigenous to the dryer parts of southern Africa Ruschia Ruschia pulvinaris Scientific classification Kingdom Plantae Clade Tracheophytes Clade Angiosperms Clade Eudicots Order Caryophyllales Family Aizoaceae Subfamily Ruschioideae Tribe Ruschieae Genus RuschiaSchwantes 1926Description editTypical features of the genus include grey or blue green succulent leaves that are 3 sided or triangular in cross section and are often covered with tiny darker transparent spots Occasionally the leaves also have toothed margins Another common feature is the small year round pink or white flower clusters 1 The genus can be distinguished with certainty though by its seed capsules As with most Aizoaceae these are hygrochastic with triangular valves that open and close with changes in humidity The seed capsule valves of Ruschia have a little closing body to pull them closed when they dry again and two keels on either side of the closing body which expand and push open the valve There is a covering membrane too which partially covers the seeds to prevent them all being washed away immediately In contrast the seed chambers of Delosperma have no covering membrane leaving the seeds entirely exposed when the capsule opens The seed chamber valves of genus Lampranthus have only the two expanding keels while the closing body is present but not visible and Lampranthus valves also have wings on either side Species editOver 400 species are described though many have subsequently been moved to the new genus Antimima 208 species are accepted by Plants of the World Online 2 Species occur in Lesotho South Africa including the Cape Provinces Free State and Northern Provinces and Namibia 2 nbsp Ruschia maxima nbsp Ruschia karooica nbsp Ruschia lineolata nbsp Ruschia spinosa nbsp Ruschia uncinata nbsp Ruschia pulvinaris nbsp Ruschia crassaReferences edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ruschia J Manning Field Guide to Fynbos Struik 2007 p 334 a b Ruschia Schwantes Plants of the World Online Kew Science Plants of the World Online Retrieved 13 January 2022 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ruschia amp oldid 1195213324, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
