Scientific Name
Titanopsis fulleri Tisch.
Accepted Scientific Name
Titanopsis calcarea (Marloth) Schwantes
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Genus: Titanopsis
Description
Titanopsis fulleri is a dwarf succulent that forms a dense clump of rosettes of 5 to 6 pairs of blue-green leaves covered with rough tubercles at the apex. The rosettes can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. The tubercles range from whitish, grey, ochre, red, or bluish.
The flowers are yellow to amber and appear in fall and winter, reaching up to 8 inches (2 cm) in diameter. The fruits are capsules with a bell-shaped base and 5 to 10, usually 6 locules.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Like many South African desert plants, Concrete Leaf Living Stone tends to become dormant or semi-dormant during the height of summer to conserve moisture. Keeping the plants wet during mid-summer is often a mistake, although they do require some water during this period.
Titanopsis are all fairly similar plants and seem to make most of their growth in the fall, with another shorter burst in the spring. Flowers may be produced in fall, spring, or both. This charming little plant is worthy of a place in most collections. Concrete Leaf Living Stone is quite tolerant of temperatures down to 40 °F (5 °C) if kept fairly dry. Like most plants, it will benefit from good ventilation.
Concrete Leaf Living Stone should always be kept in a bright, sunny situation. It will grow well in a south-facing window.
Water this succulent well during the spring, allowing the compost to dry between waterings. During the summer, the semi-dormant Concrete Leaf Living Stone should be watered sparingly to avoid any chance of rotting.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Titanopsis.
Origin
Titanopsis fulleri is native to South Africa (Upper Karoo) and Namibia (Bushmanland). It is not accepted as a separate species and is treated as a synonym of Titanopsis calcarea.
Links
- Back to genus Titanopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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