Scientific Name
Glottiphyllum depressum (Haw.) N.E.Br.
Common Name(s)
Fig Marigold, Tongue-leaf, Tongue-leaved Mesemb, Tongue Plant
Synonym(s)
Mesembryanthemum depressum
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Glottiphyllum
Origin
Glottiphyllum depressum is native to South Africa. It grows under shrubs on loamy soils from Ceres through the Little Karoo in the Western Cape to Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape province.
Description
Glottiphyllum depressum is a prostrate, moderately branched succulent with short branches that bear fleshy green leaves in two opposite rows. The leaves are decumbent or ascending, unequal in size and shape, with an apical hook, and grow from the center of the branches.
The flowers are yellow, about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, and appear in spring. The fruits are capsules rounded at the base and have long teeth or valve wings at the top. They tend to fall off and open, releasing their seeds.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
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 affect how they must be treated in cultivation.
The basics of care are simple: free-draining soil, plenty of sun and ventilation, and regular light watering in the right season. 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 survive temperatures down to the freezing point. Some Mesembs begin to grow in the fall as the temperature drops and the days get shorter.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.
Links
- Back to genus Glottiphyllum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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