Othonna lobata Photo by: © Plantemania
Origin and Habitat: Othonna lobataSN|35344]]SN|35344]] occurs in from Namaqualand and the Cederberg to the western parts of the Little Karoo, as well as parts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Habitat and ecology: This species grows in full sun in sandy soil, often on rocky outcrops and on clay with surface quartz. Flowers from winter to spring. It is often associated with other succulents such as: Gasteria glomerataSN|16659]]SN|16659]], Adromischus cristatusSN|134]]SN|134]] var. zeyheri, Cotyledon tomentosaSN|27065]]SN|27065]], Crassula rupestrisSN|26789]]SN|26789]], Cyrtanthus flammosus, Haworthia viscosaSN|21283]]SN|21283]] and Plectranthus verticillatus. The species is not considered threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century
Synonyms:
Description: Othonna lobata is a low, deciduous pachycaul shrublet, looking like a miniature baobab tree. The flask-shaped to globose caudex is covered in buff to brown peeling bark. The main fat-stem will reach a diameter of about 4 cm and the plant itself a height of 15-20(-30)cm. Short branches sprout from the succulent bottle shaped stem. Leaves are oval and dull grey-green. The flowers are yellow daisy like.
Stem: Main stem (caudex) fat, about 4 cm in diameter about 15-30 cm tall, flask-shaped, cylindrical, globose or irregularly shaped, covered in buff to brown peeling bark. Branches sprout from the caudex that is partly above-ground, or sometimes completely below soil level. The branches are pale green when young, but pale grey and woody when older.
Leaves: Basal leaves in a tuft, slightly fleshy, pinnately lobed.
Inflorescences. Scape branched. Heads terminal. Bracts in one whorl. Disc florets only, white with purple margins.
Related species: O. lobata is closely related and often synonimized with Othonna retrofracta from which it is distinguished by it "lobed" leaves, taller trunk and for lacking ray florets. It is also related to Othonna quercifolia with "oak-like leaves" and Othonna obtusiloba with "rounded lobes" both with ligular ray florets.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Gideon Smith, “Field Guide to Succulents of Southern Africa”, Penguin Random House South Africa, 11 August 2017
2) Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Dicotyledons” Springer Science & Business Media, 2002
3) Pauline Bohnen, “More flowering plants of the Southern Cape” Still Bay Conservation Trust, 1995
4) Royal Society of South Africa., “Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa”, Volume 19, Royal Society of South Africa., 1931
5) Foden, W. & Potter, L. 2005. Othonna lobata Schltr. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2017.1. Accessed on 2018/09/03
6) Ivan Latti “Othonna lobata ” in Operation wild flowers. web: https://www.operationwildflower.org.za/index.php/albums/genera-m-p/othonna/othonna-lobata-il-1-1307
