GLOEOPHYLLA   Van Jaarsv., 2015

Etymology : From Greek 'gloia', meaning 'glue' and 'phyllon' = 'leaf', referring to the unusual sticky leaves.

Distribution : Only known from the Kouga Dam region, growing in Gamatoos Thicket on steep slopes at an altitude of about 50 - 300 m, among shrubs often in shade or with the protection of other shrubs.

Description :

Much-branched shrublet up to 60 cm tall.

Roots fibrous.

Basal branch up to 18 mm thick, longitudinally fissured with peeling, greyish brown bark. Internodes 5 - 18 mm apart.

Leaves sessile, decussate, ascending to spreading, flat, cuneate, broadly obovate and mucronate, 25 - 50 x 17 - 20 mm, green, slightly leathery in the upper third, margin reddish, very sticky due to a dense covering of very short, translucent, club-shaped, glandular hairs.

Peduncle ca 45 mm long, inflorescence reduced to a solitary flower at end of branches with one pair of  bracts 5 x 1 mm, soon deciduous.

Flowers : Sepals triangular, 8 x 4 mm, corolla pendent, ca 30 mm long, tube 17 - 18 mm long, 10 mm in diam. at base, petals linear-lanceolate, 17 x 5 mm, recurved at tips, stamens 10 in two whorls, anthers with terminal appendages.

Flowering time : Winter - early spring.

Cotyledon gloeophylla is closely related to C. woodii, the latter is widespread and has green to greyish- green non sticky leaves.