Faucaria tigrina (Tiger's Jaw)

Scientific Name

Faucaria tigrina (Haw.) Schwantes

Common Names

Tiger's Jaw, Tiger Jaws, Shark's Jaws, Shark Jaws

Synonyms

Mesembryanthemum tigrinum

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Faucaria tigrina is a small clump-forming succulent that grows up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall. Leaves are green to purplish in direct sun, with up to 10 soft, white teeth arranged in opposite pairs on the edges. They are thick, triangular, up to 2 inches (5 cm) long. Flowers are yellow, up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, and appear during the day in the fall and winter.

This species is very similar to and often confused with Faucaria tuberculosa. Both species have whitish dots
and patches on the leaves, but F. tuberculosa differs by the tubercles over the upper surface of the leaves.

Faucaria tigrina (Tiger's Jaw) — *Photo via wikipedia.org*

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

The various species make excellent pot subjects and have been cultivated in Europe for over 300 years. Some species, such as Faucaria tigrina, are quite hardy, while others can be prone to stem rot.

Faucarias are mostly spring and fall growers. They need good drainage. With a little shade, they will do just fine even with extreme heat. When they lack water, like many other mesembs, the stems die, and some of the rosettes are not connected to the roots by any living tissue. When found in time, the rosettes can be used as cuttings and keep in the shade in a barely moistened medium until the temperature cools down in the fall.

They bloom for several months in the fall or the beginning of winter. The flowers open around midday and close in the late afternoon. They often don't open if the weather is cloudy or if they are in the shade.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Faucaria.