Scientific Name
Cleretum bellidiforme (Burman f.) G.D.Rowley
Common Name(s)
Livingstone Daisy
Synonym(s)
Dorotheanthus bellidiformis, Mesembryanthemum bellidiforme
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Dorotheantheae
Genus: Cleretum
Origin
Cleretum bellidiforme is native to the Cape Peninsula in South Africa.
Description
Cleretum bellidiforme is an annual succulent with spreading branches and green or maroon-tinted leaves with bladder-shaped surface cells modified for water storage. It can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) tall and usually forms a ground cover.
The daisy-like flowers appear in spring and can be white, yellow, orange, cream, pink, or crimson. They open in bright sunlight and can reach up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. The fruits are five-locular capsules that contain tiny light brown seeds.
Hardiness
It is grown as an annual plant, so it has no USDA hardiness zone.
How to Grow and Care
Mesembs are mostly adapted to relatively predictable rainfall patterns rather than extreme drought and irregular rainfall. Total rainfall may be extremely low, but water is available at least seasonally or through fog and condensation. This leads to or allows plants that are not especially large and sometimes very small and affects the way they need to be treated in cultivation.
The care basics are very simple: free-draining soil, plenty of sun and ventilation, and regular light watering in the right season. Yet the difficulties are endless, trying to adapt to the Mesembs' adaptability and follow their growth habits in your particular conditions.
These plants require a loam-based compost with extra drainage material such as horticultural grit or perlite. They all like good light conditions and plenty of ventilation.
Some are relatively cold-hardy and can even survive mild winters outside. Most will withstand temperatures down to the freezing point. Some Mesembs begin to grow in the fall as the temperature drops and the days get shorter.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.
Links
- Back to genus Cleretum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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