Conophytum wittebergense

Scientific Name

Conophytum wittebergense de Boer

Synonyms

Conophytum minimum var. wittebergense

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Conophytum wittebergense is a small, almost stemless, winter-growing succulent, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) tall, that forms dense mats with time. It is an outstanding plant with tiny bodies marked with a network of dark red dots and lines on top. The paired leaves bodies are variable, tiny, less than 0.4 inch (1 cm) in diameter with a small growing cleft that doesn't reach right across the body. The small white flowers are nocturnal and highly scented. It is extremely decorative even without flowers.

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.

The Conophytum vegetate during the winter season. They must then be kept dry during hot, gradually wet upon autumn arrival: the moisture stimulates 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 autumn 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 needings 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… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Conophytum.

Origin

Native to South Africa (Western Cape).

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