Scientific Name
Oscularia deltoides (L.) Schwant.
Common Name(s)
Deltoid-leaved Dew Plant, Pink Iceplant, Tooth-leaf Rock Vygie, Dassievygie, Sandsteenvygie
Synonym(s)
Mesembryanthemum deltoides, Lampranthus deltoides, Mesembryanthemum deltatum, Mesembryanthemum muricatum, Oscularia deltata, Oscularia deltoides var. deltoides, Oscularia muricata
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Oscularia
Description
Oscularia deltoides is a low-growing succulent shrub with wiry dark pink stems and blue-green 3-angled leaves with small, often reddish teeth. It grows up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall and up to 3 feet (90 cm) wide. Leaves are thick and fleshy, up to 0.7 inches (1.8 cm) long and up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) wide. Flowers are lightly fragrant, lavender-pink to purple, yellow-centered, up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) in diameter, and appear in spring and summer. They are closed in the morning but open, often to cover the plant, in the afternoon.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 8b to 11b: from 15 °F (−9.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Mesembs mostly adapt 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 very 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' own adaptability and to 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 a: How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.
Origin
This species is native to South Africa (South-Western Cape).
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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