Ebracteola wilmaniae - Prince Albert Vygie

Scientific Name

Ebracteola wilmaniae (L. Bol.) H.F. Glen

Common Names

Prince Albert Vygie

Synonyms

Mesembryanthemum vermeuleniae, Mesembryanthemum wilmaniae, Ruschia wilmaniae

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Ebracteola wilmaniae is a compact, highly branched succulent with a thickened storage root stock. It will form a dense mat with age. The leaves are fleshy, organized in 2-6 pairs in each branch, smooth, light grey to bluish. Every year a few new leaves grow from the central stem. The flowers are daisy-like, organized in groups of 1 to 3, but usually solitary, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter, pure white to dark-pink with a white base. The long lasing flowers appears in spring.

Photo via pukubook.jp

How to Grow and Care

The basics of Mesemb care are very simple, with 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' own adaptability and to follow their growth habits in your particular conditions. Mesembs require a loam-based compost with the addition of 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 survive temperatures down to freezing point.

There are some Mesembs which begin to grow in the autumn as the temperature drops and the days get shorter. Because different genera within the Mesemb family have different growing conditions, care mast be taken with watering. Some genera will benefit from a light spray water to prevent shrivelling during their dormant period… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.