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SUBFENESTRATA Tischer ex S.A. Hammer
this group was named for the murkily windowed apex displayed by the type species.

Distribution: Sandveld Knersvlakte Bushmanland

Species in SUBFENESTRATA group: (Type species: Conophytum subfenestratum Schwantes)

• Conophytum achabene
• Conophytum burgeri
• Conophytum concavum
• Conophytum ratum
• Conophytum subfenestratum

The HERREANTHUS group is based on Schwantes' former genus Herreanthus (which commemorates Hans Herre).  The HERREANTHUS group is made up of plants which just seem to link with each other (C. herreanthus -> C. blandum <- C. marginatum).  The Herreanthus group could be linked to Miniscula group and maybe even the Subfenestrata group (by means of the pustules and windows).

Description of plants in the HERREANTHUS:

The stemless medium-sized plants have an epidermis that is glabrous or papillate, the epidermis is not glossy nor windowed except near the fissure.  The glabrous or papillate fissure is pale-green to ashen-green to purplish, spotted or unspotted, a large pustule may be present.  The bodies are v-shaped to long-cylindrical and sparsely to freely dividing.  The bodies are firm or rubbery and the leaves are partially free or apically keeled if fused.  The leaf tips may be sharply apiculate.  Sheaths may be firm and papery or felt-like, white to dark brown in colour.

Description of flowers and capsules in the SUBFENESTRATA group:

The flowers are diurnal and nearly vespertine (occuring in the evening), they are usually scented.  The bracts are not exserted, calyx & corolla tube independent.   The petals may be magenta, pink or rarely white in colour.  There are not many filamentaceous staminoides present, the stigmas are long and occasionally free.  The capsule are 3-7 locular, impersistent.  The amount of seeds may vary and they are minute.  The seedlings may have a short or long juvenile phase and may flower after 2-4 years.  The germination is quick and uniform, cotyledons are globose and short fissured.

Reference:  S.A. Hammer, "The Genus Conophytum A Conograph", Succulent Plant Publications 1993.

/ Antegibbeaum / Cheiridopsis / Conophytums / Dinteranthus / Fenestria / Gibbeaum / Hammeria / Lithops / Pleiospilos /