Scientific Name
Adromischus leucophyllus Uitewaal
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Adromischus
Origin
Adromischus leucophyllus is native to South Africa. It is restricted to the mountains between Robertson and Montagu in the Western Cape province, where it grows on shallow soil between rocks, usually in a somewhat shaded position.
Description
Adromischus leucophyllus is a small, sparingly branched succulent with suberect to decumbent branches that bear grey-green leaves, sometimes with few purplish spots. The branches can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) in diameter at the base. The leaves are obovate to suborbicular, easily detached, and can measure up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. The new leaves are pale green with a thick, powdery bloom.
The flowers are cylindrical, slightly widening towards the throat, grooved, and have white petals with pink mid stripes. They can reach up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in length and appear in a spike-like thyrse with 1- to 4-flowered cymes in summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 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 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 important 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 pot's side so that their ends touch the compost. Some species drop their leaves easily, and although each leaf will form a new plant, growing a large specimen can be challenging. 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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