Scientific Name
Oscularia caulescens (Mill.) Schwant.
Common Name(s)
Dassievygie (African)
Synonym(s)
Lampranthus deltoides subsp. caulescens, Mesembryanthemum caulescens
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Oscularia
Etymology
The specific epithet "caulescens" (pronounced "kawl-ESS-kens") means "becoming stemmed" or "having a stem" and refers to this species having a well-developed, above-ground stem.
Origin
Oscularia caulescens is native to South Africa. It occurs on sandstone rocks along the mountains from Jonkershoek to Rooiels in the Western Cape province.
Description
Oscularia caulescens is a beautiful succulent ground cover with trailing, reddish stems and fleshy, blue-green, 3-angled leaves often tinged with red. It can grow up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall and up to 3 feet (90 cm) wide.
The pleasantly scented, bright-pink flowers are daisy-like, appear from spring to mid-summer, and open fully as afternoon approaches. They can reach a diameter of 1.2 inches (3 cm). The stamens are white at the base and pink near the tips, arranged upright in a cone-like formation in the center of the flower.
How to Grow and Care for Oscularia caulescens
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 8b to 11b: from 15°F (-9.4°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Mesembs are primarily 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 affects how they need to 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. Yet 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 temperatures drop and days get shorter.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.
Links
- Back to genus Oscularia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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