Xerophyta elegans is a species of plants in the family Velloziaceae. It is endemic to South Africa and its natural distribution and habitat is restricted to Drakensberg Mountains in Mpumalanga province. The plant is evergreen and similar to other members of its family it is able to express high level or tolerance against desiccation and even long treatment with sulphuric acid[7] under dry conditions leaves it able to revive and restart its photosynthetic abilities. Talbotia produces narrow but long, leathery leaves and white star-shaped flowers with yellow stamens. The seeds are hooked thus enhancing dispersal by animals.

Xerophyta elegans
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Pandanales
Family:	Velloziaceae
Genus:	Xerophyta
Species:	X. elegans
Binomial name
Xerophyta elegans (Balf.) Baker[1]
Synonyms
Barbacenia elegans (Balf.) Pax[2] Hypoxis barbacenioides Harv. ex Baker Talbotia elegans Balf.[3] Talbotiopsis elegans (Balf.) L.B. Sm.[4] Vellozia elegans (Balf.) Oliv. ex Hook. f.[5] Vellozia elegans var. elegans Vellozia elegans var. minor (Baker) Baker[6] Vellozia talbotii Balf. Xerophyta minuta Baker

References

External links

Wikispecies has information related to Xerophyta elegans.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Talbotia elegans.

• Xerophyta elegans at The Plant List
• Xerophyta elegans at Tropicos

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