''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family

Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae (), or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1,800 species. Several genera are commonly known as 'ice plants' or 'carpet weeds'. The Aizoaceae are also referred to a ...

, indigenous to

southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost region of Africa. No definition is agreed upon, but some groupings include the United Nations geoscheme for Africa, United Nations geoscheme, the intergovernmental Southern African Development Community, and ...

Description

The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright flowers, of a range of colours (sometimes even bi-coloured), that usually appear in summer, and frequently cover the plants entirely. The species of this genus typically have long, smooth, elongated, succulent leaves. These can be triangular or cylindrical, and like all plants in its family, appear in opposite pairs on the shrubs' branches. ''Lampranthus'' can be clearly distinguished from related genera by its seed capsules. The seed capsules of all of these genera have triangular valves, which open when they become wet, exposing the seed chambers (

locule A locule (: locules) or loculus (; : loculi) is a small cavity or compartment within an organ or part of an organism (animal, plant, or fungus). In angiosperms (flowering plants), the term ''locule'' usually refers to a chamber within an ovary ...

s). In contrast to ''

Ruschia ''Ruschia'' is a genus of succulent plant, in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to the dryer parts of southern Africa. Description Typical features of the genus include grey or blue-green succulent leaves, that are 3-sided or triangular in cross- ...

'', each valve in a ''Lampranthus'' capsule has two wings, on either side of it, but no visible closing body. Unlike in ''

Delosperma ''Delosperma'' ('delos'=evident, 'sperma'=seed) is a genus of around 170 species of succulent plants, formerly included in ''Mesembryanthemum'' in the family Aizoaceae. It was defined by English botanist N. E. Brown in 1925. The genus is common ...

'', the seeds in ''Lampranthus'' seed chambers are partially covered by a covering membrane. ''Lampranthus'' seeds sometimes have visible stalks too.

Reproduction

All ''Lampranthus'' species flower between June and August (in the Northern Hemisphere) with flower colours including red, orange, peach, yellow and light pink through to magenta and purple. They are pollinated by many insects, such as

bee Bees are winged insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their roles in pollination and, in the case of the best-known bee species, the western honey bee, for producing honey. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamil ...

wasp A wasp is any insect of the narrow-waisted suborder Apocrita of the order Hymenoptera which is neither a bee nor an ant; this excludes the broad-waisted sawflies (Symphyta), which look somewhat like wasps, but are in a separate suborder ...

s and

beetle Beetles are insects that form the Taxonomic rank, order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Holometabola. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects. The Coleoptera, with about 40 ...

Species

Plants of the World Online Plants of the World Online (POWO) is an online taxonomic database published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. History Following the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew launched Plants of the World Online i ...

accepted the following species: *'' Lampranthus acutifolius'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *''

Lampranthus aduncus ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...

'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus affinis'' L.Bolus *''

Lampranthus alboroseus ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...

'' Klak *''

Lampranthus antonii ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...

'' L.Bolus *''

Lampranthus arenarius ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...

'' H.E.K.Hartmann *''

Lampranthus arenicola ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...

'' L.Bolus *''

Lampranthus aureus ''Lampranthus aureus'' is a species of shrub in the family Aizoaceae (stone plants). They are succulent plants. They have a self-supporting growth form and simple, broad leaves. Phytochemistry L. aureus contains mesembrenol and low levels of re ...

'' (L.) N.E.Br. *''

Lampranthus bicolor ''Lampranthus bicolor'', the bicoloured lampranthus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Aizoaceae, native to the southwestern Cape Provinces The Cape Provinces of South Africa is a biogeographical area used in the World Geographi ...

'' (L.) N.E.Br. *''

Lampranthus borealis ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...

'' L.Bolus *''

Lampranthus brachyandrus ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...

'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *''

Lampranthus brownii ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...

'' (Hook.f.) N.E.Br. *''

Lampranthus caudatus ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...

'' L.Bolus *''

Lampranthus ceriseus ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...

'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus coccineus'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus conspicuus'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus convexus'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus coralliflorus'' (Salm-Dyck) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus curviflorus'' (Haw.) H.E.K.Hartmann *'' Lampranthus debilis'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus deflexus'' (Aiton) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus densifolius'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus densipetalus'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus diffusus'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus disgregus'' N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus diutinus'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus dregeanus'' (Sond.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus dubitans'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus dulcis'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus dyckii'' (A.Berger) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus edwardsiae'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus elegans'' (Jacq.) Schwantes *'' Lampranthus emarginatoides'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus emarginatus'' (L.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus erratus'' N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus esterhuyseniae'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus explanatus'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus falcatus'' (L.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus falciformis'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus fergusoniae'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus filicaulis'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus flexifolius'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus flexilis'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus foliosus'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus formosus'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus francesiae'' H.E.K.Hartmann *'' Lampranthus fugitans'' L.Bolus *''

Lampranthus glaucoides ''Lampranthus glaucoides'', synonyms including ''Lampranthus aurantiacus'', known as the trailing iceplant (a name it shares with other members of its family Aizoaceae) and copper brightfig, is a plant species in the genus ''Lampranthus'' native ...

'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus glaucus'' (L.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus glomeratus'' (L.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus godmaniae'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus haworthii'' (Donn ex Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus hiemalis'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus hoerleinianus'' (Dinter) Friedrich *'' Lampranthus holensis'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus imbricans'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus intervallaris'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus laetus'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus lavisii'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus laxifolius'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus leipoldtii'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus leptaleon'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus leptosepalus'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus lewisiae'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus liberalis'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus littlewoodii'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus marginatus'' (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann *'' Lampranthus mariae'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus montaguensis'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus multiradiatus'' (Jacq.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus multiseriatus'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus mutatus'' (G.D.Rowley) H.E.K.Hartmann *'' Lampranthus nardouwensis'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus otzenianus'' (Dinter) Friedrich *'' Lampranthus pakhuisensis'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus pakpassensis'' H.E.K.Hartmann *'' Lampranthus pauciflorus'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus paucifolius'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus peacockiae'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus peersii'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus perreptans'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus plautus'' N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus pleniflorus'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus pocockiae'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus polyanthon'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus praecipitatus'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus procumbens'' Klak *'' Lampranthus productus'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus profundus'' (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann *'' Lampranthus promontorii'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus proximus'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus purpureus'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus reptans'' (Aiton) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus rupestris'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus scaber'' (L.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus schlechteri'' (Zahlbr.) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus sociorum'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus sparsiflorus'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus spectabilis'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus spiniformis'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus staminodiosus'' Schwantes *'' Lampranthus stanfordiae'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus stayneri'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus stenopetalus'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus stenus'' (Haw.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus stephanii'' (Schwantes) Schwantes *'' Lampranthus stipulaceus'' (L.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus suavissimus'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus sublaxus'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus subrotundus'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus swartbergensis'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus swartkopensis'' Strohschn. *'' Lampranthus tenuifolius'' (L.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus turbinatus'' (Jacq.) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus uniflorus'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus vanheerdei'' L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus vanzijliae'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus verecundus'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus vernalis'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus *'' Lampranthus violaceus'' (DC.) Schwantes *'' Lampranthus watermeyeri'' (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. *'' Lampranthus zeyheri'' (Salm-Dyck) N.E.Br.

Distribution

These plants are mainly found in

Southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost region of Africa. No definition is agreed upon, but some groupings include the United Nations geoscheme for Africa, United Nations geoscheme, the intergovernmental Southern African Development Community, and ...

, especially in arid areas, such as the

Fynbos Fynbos (; , ) is a small belt of natural shrubland or heathland vegetation located in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. The area is predominantly coastal and mountainous, with a Mediterranean climate. The fynbos ...

habitat In ecology, habitat refers to the array of resources, biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species' habitat can be seen as the physical manifestation of its ...

Phytochemistry

''L. aureus'' and ''L. spectabilis'' contain mesembrenol and low levels of related alkaloids such as mesembrenone and have sometimes been mismarketed as kanna (''

Mesembryanthemum tortuosum ''Mesembryanthemum tortuosum'' or ''Sceletium tortuosum'', commonly known as kanna, channa, kougoed, or Namaqua skeletonfig, is a succulent plant in the family Aizoaceae, native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. Traditionally, it has been fe ...

'') extract which contains higher levels of related alkaloids.

Gallery

File:Lampranthus glaucus.jpg, ''Lampranthus glaucus'' File:Lampranthus amoenus plant.jpg, Typical cylindrical leaves of ''Lampranthus stipulaceus'' File:Lampranthus tenuifolius2.jpg, The tiny species ''Lampranthus tenuifolius'' File:Lampranthus zeyheri, Madeira - May 2008.jpg, ''Lampranthus zeyheri''

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q159047 Aizoaceae genera Taxa named by N. E. Brown