Conophytum - Conophyton, Conophytum

(Cono'phytum)

DESCRIPTION: This large group consists of free-flowering succulents that are natives of South Africa. These plants consist of a pair of short, chubby leaves, which are joined at the base or fully united to resemble a pea. The leaf heads are flat or convex at the top, resembling small stones. In early summer, the leaves wither into a papery sheath that protects a developing leaf pair. In the fall, the new leaves grow through the dried remains. The tiny leaves vary in size from less than one-eighth inch to one and one-half inches wide. They come in a number of colors and shapes. After the new leaves emerge, daisy-like blossoms grow from the small slits in the leaves. They may be colored white, yellow to orange, or pink to purple. C. minutum grows up to an inch high and 4 inches wide. Its speckled green leaves grow in a ball-shaped mound. This slow-growing variety can take up to 20 years to fill a 3-inch pot. C. verrucosum is an interesting plant with variable leaves. They range from reddish-brown to olive. The white or light pink flowers are ¾ to 1¼ inches wide.

POTTING: These plants can be grown outdoors in regions where the temperature doesn't dip below 43º F; otherwise, they can be grown in greenhouses. The best soil consists of two parts sandy loam and one part of equal quantities of sand, crushed bricks and limestone chips. No shading is necessary. The greenhouse needs to be ventilated freely at all times except frosty weather. They should be kept dry from late April until the end of June.

PROPAGATION: Seeds or division may be used to increase your plants.

VARIETIES: C. Calculus; C. ficiforme; C. globosum; C. Pearsonii; C. Wettsteinii; C. minutum; C. taylorianum var. ernianum; C. truncatum; C. bilobum; C. friedrichiae; C. limpidum; C. verrucosum.

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