Scientific Name
Caputia medley-woodii (Hutch.) B.Nord. & Pelser
Synonym(s)
Senecio medley-woodii
Scientific Classification
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Senecioneae
Genus: Caputia
Etymology
The specific epithet "medley-woodii (pronounced MED-lee-ay WOOD-ee-eye)" honors John Medley Wood (1827-1915), a South African botanist, curator of the Durban Botanic Garden, and director of the Natal Government Herbarium of South Africa.
Origin
The native range of Caputia medley-woodii extends from Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa north to Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). It grows along cliff edges and granite outcrops at elevations under 2,000 feet (610 m).
Description
Caputia medley-woodii, formerly known as Senecio medley-woodii, is a succulent shrub with thick branches and fleshy leaves, egg-shaped in outline and with small teeth irregularly spaced along the margins. It can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. The branches and leaves are covered in white felt. The leaves are dark green with blackish tones.
The flowers are daisy-like, with bright yellow rays and orange-yellow disks. They can reach up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in diameter and appear in mid-winter solitary or with up to 3 others at the branch tips.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Established Senecios are extremely drought tolerant. They need some water during the summer but do not leave the soil wet for prolonged periods. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings in winter when they are somewhat dormant. Since they are growing in sandy soil, nutrients need to be replenished. Fertilize annually, but lightly. Too much fertilizer will cause a lot of leggy growth.
Taller varieties can become floppy. In early spring, prune them back to a firm stem or root the cuttings.
Plants can be divided or repotted in early spring. If you grow them in containers, they enjoy spending the summer outdoors. In the fall, wait until there is no danger of frost before moving them back indoors.
Senecio can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Seeds germinate best in warm temperatures and constant moisture. Using cuttings is the easier and faster method of propagating these plants. Take cuttings during the growing season, from early spring to fall. Root in sandy soil or containers.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Senecio.
Links
- Back to genus Caputia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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