Scientific Name
Adromischus maculatus (Salm-Dyck) Lem.
Common Name(s)
Calico Hearts, Chocolate Drop, Spotted Adromischus
Synonym(s)
Adromischus rhombifolius, Cotyledon alternans, Cotyledon maculata, Cotyledon rhombifolia, Echeveria rhombifolia
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Adromischus
Etymology
The specific epithet "maculatus (mak-yuh-LAH-tus)" means "stained, spotted" and refers to the spotted leaves.
Origin
Adromischus maculatus is native to South Africa. It is restricted to the Langeberg Mountains, from near Worcester to north of George in the Western Cape province, where it grows on sandstone slopes.
Description
Adromischus maculatus is a small, sparsely branched succulent with short, decumbent to erect stems and green, grey-green to greyish brown leaves, usually with dark purple spots. It can reach up to 4 inches (10 cm) in height, forming small clusters or mats. The branches are green at first, becoming grey-green with peeling bark with age. They can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) long and up to 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) in diameter. The leaves are obovate to oblanceolate, sometimes almost orbicular, with horny margins, flat to convex upper surface, and convex lower surface. They can measure up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) long and 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) wide. The leaves of the young plants are often without spots.
In summer, the tubular flowers appear arranged into thyrses with 1- to 2-flowered cymes. The thyrses can grow up to 14 inches (35 cm) long. The tube of the flowers is pale yellowish-green, measuring up to 0.45 inches (1.1 cm) long, while the petals are lanceolate-triangular, white or tinged pale pink with mauve margins.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °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 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, it can be a challenge 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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