Scientific Name
Adromischus cristatus var. schonlandii (Phill.) Tölken
Synonym(s)
Adromischus schonlandii, Cotyledon schonlandii
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Adromischus
Etymology
The varietal epithet "schonlandii" (pronounced "skon-LAND-ee-eye") honors Selmar Schonland🡕 (1860-1940), a German-born botanist who founded the Department of Botany at Rhodes University🡕 and was a pioneer of botanical studies in South Africa.
Origin
Adromischus cristatus var. schonlandii is native to South Africa. However, it is rare and occurs only on cliff faces and rock outcrops in lower Baviaanskloof and Langkloof west of Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape province.
Description
Adromischus cristatus var. schonlandii is a dwarf, often much-branched succulent with short, brittle branches covered with aerial roots and terminal rosettes of green to grey-green, inversely triangular leaves. The branches can grow up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long. This variety is smaller than Adromischus cristatus var. cristatus, distinguished by its leaves with horny apical margins, usually narrower than the leaf, and the inflorescence and flowers with glandular hairs. The fleshy leaves can measure up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) long and up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) wide.
In summer, Adromischus cristatus var. schonlandii sends up usually unbranched, spike-like inflorescences with tubular flowers with gray-green tubes and white to pinkish petals. The inflorescences can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) long, while the flowers can reach up to 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) in length.
How to Grow and Care for Adromischus cristatus var. schonlandii
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 9b to 10b: from 25°F (-3.9°C) to 40°F (4.4°C).
Many species are easy to grow in any free-draining, gritty compost. Their compact habit allows a collection to be maintained in a small space, and they grow well on any sunny window ledge or the top shelf of the greenhouse. Water mostly in spring/autumn, and let them dry out between waterings. Adromischus tolerate cool, frost-free conditions during the winter if kept dry. It is also well to keep water off the foliage during the winter. Mealybugs and vine weevils can be discouraged with a systemic insecticide. Frost hardy to 19°F (-7°C).
Many species can be propagated from a single leaf, which should be placed against the side of the pot so that the stem end is just touching the compost. Some species drop their leaves easily, and although each leaf will form a new plant, growing a large specimen can be a challenge. In other cases, leaves for propagation must be carefully detached with a sharp knife.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Adromischus.
Links
- Back to genus Adromischus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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