MESTOKLEMA TUBEROSUM

This member of the Aizoaceae family was given this name by Nicholas Edward Brown in 1981. It is found on the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa, growing in grit or other well drained soil with little water and lots of sun. The swollen roots, each four centimetres in diameter will form clusters up to 20 centimetres in diameter. The plant can grow to 60 centimetres in height. The flowers are from bronze over reddish to pink or salmon, and the plant can be reproduced both by seeds and cuttings. The genera is named from Greek mestos; 'full' and Greek klema; 'a small branch' for the abundant branching. The species for its tuberous roots.