Lithops - Au Cactus Francophone

figure 66 . lithops lesliei n.e. br.
M. Hookeri, Marloth, Fl. of S. Afr., V. I, p. 205, 206, t. 51, Fig. B; not
of Berger (N. E. Brown, Gard. Chron., 1921).
Transvaal: near Vereeniging (Leslie, Gilfillan, Burtt Davy); near Blo
emhof (Burn Davy); near Griqualand West; near Kimberley (Pearson,
Pillans, Winsorton, Marloth, Warrenton, Mogg); near Griquatown (Marloth).
The biological peculiarities of this plant are detailed on P. 250, Vol.
LXX (Gard. Chron.), but I would add that this appears to be one of the har
diest spe cies of this type of plant, for in its native locality during winter, it
is sometimes subjected to 20 degrees of frost at night only, not continuously,
the days being warm, and the air and ground are both very dry at that period,
the rainfall varying from 20–40 in., taking place during the summer, which
corresponds to our winter, when these plants often want to grow.
✱Lithops Lesliei. Corpuscula caespitosa, crasse carnosa, lata compresso
obconica, apice perfecte truncata cum fissura transversa percursa, 1.5–2.5
cm. alta, apice 2.5–3 cm. longa et 1.8–2.3 cm. lata, levia, glabra, lateribus
pallide purpureo cinerascentibus, apice sordide olivaceo viridi maculis parvis
ramosis vel subdendriticis ochraceo salmoneis notato. Flores 2.5 cm. diam.
lutei. Calyx 5 lobus; tubus vix exsertus; lobi 7–8 mm. longi, ovato lanceo
lati, subobtusi. Petala 1–1.2 cm. longa, linearia, obtusa, lutea, apice rubro
aurantiaco tincta. Stamina numerosissima alba.
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