Scientific Name
Adromischus cristatus var. zeyheri (Harv.) Toelken
Synonym(s)
Adromischus zeyheri, Cotyledon zeyheri
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Adromischus
Origin
This species is native to South Africa. It is known only from the type locality near Riversdale in the Western Cape province, where it grows on shady cliffs.
Description
Adromischus cristatus var. zeyheri is a small succulent with chartreuse green, inversely triangular leaves with a broad, undulate upper margin. It is similar to Adromischus cristatus var. cristatus but is little or not branched and has longer, green, hairy stems without aerial roots. The branches grow up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) tall. Leaves are fleshy, glandular-hairy, up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) long and 2.2 inches (5.5 cm) wide.
The tiny white flowers with cylindrical green tubes above a small calyx appear on lax, up to 12 inches (30 cm) long spikes in mid-summer. The inflorescence and flowers are with glandular hairs. Fruits are dry, many-seeded follicles.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 10b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
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 as 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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