Scientific Name
Glottiphyllum depressum (Haw.) N.E.Br.
Common Names
Tongue Plant, Tongue-leaf, Tongue-leaved Mesemb, Fig Marigold
Synonyms
Glottiphyllum barrydalense, Glottiphyllum buffelsvleyense, Glottiphyllum fragrans, Glottiphyllum framesii, Glottiphyllum haagei, Glottiphyllum jacobsenianum, Glottiphyllum marlothii, Glottiphyllum muirii, Glottiphyllum nysiae, Glottiphyllum platycarpum, Glottiphyllum proclive, Glottiphyllum rufescens, Glottiphyllum starkeae, Glottiphyllum taurinum, Glottiphyllum uniondalense, Mesembryanthemum depressum, Mesembryanthemum fragrans, Mesembryanthemum linguiforme var. depressum, Mesembryanthemum ruedebuschii, Mesembryanthemum rufescens, Mesembryanthemum taurinum
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Glottiphyllum
Description
Glottiphyllum depressum is a small succulent plant that forms compact, moderately branched groups of low clustered rosettes. Leaves are fleshy, bright green, flattened with rounded tips and joined at the base. They are soft, smooth to the touch, and break relatively easily. Flowers are yellow and up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. The flowers and fruits do not have long stalks and are therefore held close against the plant.
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 need to be treated in cultivation.
The basics of care are very 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.
Origin
Glottiphyllum depressum is native to South Africa.
Links
- Back to genus Glottiphyllum
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
