Conophytum herreanthus

Scientific Name

Conophytum herreanthus S.A.Hammer

Synonyms

Conophytum herreanthus subsp. herreanthus

Scientific Classification

Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Conophytum

Description

Conophytum herreanthus is a small succulent that grows in clump of paired, leaf bodies. Leaves are gray-green, smooth, triangular, pointed and up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long. There are dark spots sparsely scattered over the leaves. Flowers are diurnal, white, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter and appear in late fall.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Conophytums are usually grown in dish gardens where they spread slowly but make good ornamental plants for window gardening. They also do well in rockeries where they can be grown in crevices.

These plants vegetate during the winter season. They must then be kept dry during hot, gradually wet upon fall arrival. The moisture stimulate the release of new root hairs and the plant will grow for the entire winter season, foliar issuing new pairs from inside the existing ones. Flowering usually occurs in fall and the color of the flowers is extremely variable from species to species. The cultivation is quite easy, but care must be taken to avoid excess water and to prevent rot. The plants themselves communicate their water needs with a slight wrinkling of the epidermis. They do not particularly fear the cold weather and can resist also at temperatures of 23 °F (-5 °C) as long as the soil is completely dry and the temperature returns rapidly to rise.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Conophytum.

Origin

Conophytum herreanthus is native to South Africa (northern Cape Province).

Subspecies, Varieties, Forms, Cultivars and Hybrids

• Conophytum herreanthus subsp. rex

Links

• Back to genus Conophytum
• Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus

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