Ruschia

Ruschia is a genus of succulent plant, in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to the dryer parts of southern Africa.

Ruschia
Ruschia pulvinaris
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Aizoaceae
Subfamily:	Ruschioideae
Tribe:	Ruschieae
Genus:	Ruschia Schwantes, 1926

Description

Typical features of the genus include grey or blue-green succulent leaves, that are 3-sided or triangular in cross-section and are often covered with tiny darker transparent spots. Occasionally the leaves also have toothed margins.

Another common feature is the small, year-round, pink or white flower clusters.[1]

The genus can be distinguished with certainty though, by its seed capsules. As with most Aizoaceae, these are hygrochastic, with triangular valves that open and close with changes in humidity. The seed capsule valves of Ruschia have a little closing body to pull them closed when they dry again, and two keels on either side of the closing body, which expand and push open the valve. There is a covering membrane too, which partially covers the seeds, to prevent them all being washed away immediately.

In contrast, the seed chambers of Delosperma have no covering membrane, leaving the seeds entirely exposed when the capsule opens. The seed chamber valves of genus Lampranthus have only the two expanding keels while the closing body is present, but not visible, and Lampranthus valves also have wings on either side.

Species

Over 400 species are described, though many have subsequently been moved to the new genus Antimima. Species occur in South Africa and Namibia:

• 
  Ruschia maxima
• 
  Ruschia karooica
• 
  Ruschia lineolata
• 
  Ruschia spinosa
• 
  Ruschia uncinata
• 
  Ruschia pulvinaris
• 
  Ruschia crassa

References

1. J. Manning: Field Guide to Fynbos. Struik, 2007. p.334.