Scientific Name
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii (Schönland) Toelken
Synonym(s)
Adromischus mamillaris subsp. marlothii, Adromischus marlothii, Adromischus tricolor, Cotyledon marlothii
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Adromischus
Origin
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii is native to South Africa. It occurs mainly in the Little Karoo and adjoining areas from Worcester to the east of Oudtshoorn but rarely also on the Knersvlakte west of Vanrhynsdorp and grows on dry, rocky slopes, usually in the shade of rocks or other plants.
Description
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii is a dwarf, sparingly branched succulent with fleshy, green leaves arranged along decumbent or prostrate stems. It can grow up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) tall and 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. The stems are fleshy, grey-green with grey flaking bark, and can reach up to 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) in diameter. They produce numerous aerial roots along their length, rooting down into the soil where they touch. The leaves are green to reddish and rarely with purple spots. They are lanceolate, elliptic to broadly elliptic, measuring up to 2 inches (5 cm) long and 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter.
The flowers are narrow, about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) long, and appear on a spike that can grow up to 14 inches (35 cm) tall in mid-summer. The corolla tube is yellowish-green and red-tinged towards the hairless throat. The petals are white or tinged pink and broadly triangular.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °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 from spring to fall and let them dry out between waterings. Adromischus tolerates cool, frost-free conditions during the winter if kept dry. It is also important to keep water off the foliage during the winter. Mealybugs and vine weevils can be discouraged with a systemic insecticide.
Adromischus can be propagated from a single leaf, which should be placed against the pot's side so that the stem ends touch the compost. Some species drop their leaves easily, and although each leaf will form a new plant, it can be challenging to grow a large specimen. 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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