Scientific Name
Adromischus marianiae (Marloth) A.Berger
Synonym(s)
Adromischus marianae (misspelling), Cotyledon marianiae
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Adromischus
Etymology
The specific epithet "marianiae" (pronounced "mair-ee-ANN-ee-eye") honors Marian Marloth (fl. 1923), the wife of Rudolf Marloth🡕 (1855–1931), a German-born South African botanist, pharmacist, and analytical chemist. Although the misspelling "marianae" appears frequently in older books and nursery catalogs, the corect speling is of this epithet is "marianiae."
Origin
Adromischus marianiae is native to South Africa (Little Namaqualand).
Description
Adromischus marianiae is a small, sparingly branched succulent with gray, usually thin and short branches with clusters of grey leaves with a few scattered, purple spots. It is a highly variable species that grows slowly, reaching a height of 6 inches (15 cm). The leaves are linear-elliptic to linear-lanceolate with a short petiole, raised margins, and a more or less pronounced central groove on the upper surface. They can measure up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) in length and 0.9 inches (2.2 cm) in width.
The flowers are green, tinged with pink, and can reach 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) in length. They appear on inflorescences with 1- to 3-flowered cymes in summer. The inflorescences can grow up to 14 inches (35 cm) tall.
Varieties of Adromischus marianiae
- Adromischus marianiae var. hallii
- Adromischus marianiae var. immaculatus
- Adromischus marianiae var. kubusensis
- Adromischus marianiae var. marianiae
Cultivars of Adromischus marianiae
- Adromischus marianiae 'Alveolatus'
- Adromischus marianiae 'Little Spheroid'
- Adromischus marianiae 'Herrei'
How to Grow and Care for Adromischus marianiae
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 50°F (10°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 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 can 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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