Lithops - Au Cactus Francophone

nulla, supra leviter convexum, roseo brunneum, bullatum, lineis impressis
conspicuis, atro brunnesi, 4–6, e margine interiore ad marginem exteriorem
radiantibus, subreticulate ramosis, finibus liberis in marginem exteriorem ter
minantibus (more L. mickbergensis, Dinter); receptaculum 4 mm. longum, ad
8 mm. diam.; sepala 5, 6–7 mm. longa, basi 2–4 mm. lata, 3 membranaceo
marginata; petala 3 seriata apice obtusa vel rotundata, e supra medium in
ferne gradatim angustata, aurea, 1–1.4 cm. longa, ad 2 mm. lata; filameata
superne aurea, ad 8 mm. longa, autheris pollineque pallidis; discus conspicu
us; ovarium supra leviter convexum vel planum, medium versus leviter eleva
tum; stigmata 5, gracilia, 1.1 cm. longa.
In dit. Gordonia; Louisvale, prope Upington, “on low quartz slopes be
tween the road and the Orange River,” Apr. 1934, Brian T. Mennell (N.B.G.,
645/34). Fl. Apr. 1935.
In the form of the body and in the apical marking this is very like
L. mickbergensis, Dinter, a species described without flowers. Dr. J. Lückhoff,
however, who has grown and flowered both L. Mennellii and L. mickbergensis,
states that the flowers of the latter are white and that in his opinion the two
plants are quite distinct.
Mr. Mennell writes: “At its best this Lithops (L. Mennellii) is nearly
as light as L. Fulleri, but has well defined ‘Hebrew script’ in black. Most
have now flowered (Apr. 1934), yellow, and have shrunk to crinkly pink,
exactly like the stones, and most difficult to find.”
figure 75 . lithops mennellii l. bol.
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