Scientific Name
Tylecodon bodleyae van Jaarsv.
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Tylecodon
Etymology
The specific epithet "bodleyae (BOD-lee)" honors Elise Bodley (1921–1997), a well-known South African illustrator of succulents. She has illustrated the most known Tylecodon and Cotyledon species.
Origin
Tylecodon bodleyae is native to South Africa (Northern Cape).
Description
Tylecodon bodleyae is a small succulent with a tuberous base and erect, grey-green branches with dark longitudinal striations. It can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall. The caudex is covered with yellow-brown peeling bark and can reach up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter. The leaves are fleshy, glandular-hairy or smooth, green to pale green, elliptic, and can grow up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) long and wide.
The flowers appear in inflorescences that can grow up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long when the plant sheds its leaves in mid-summer. They have a yellowish-green tube measuring up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) long and white petals with long hairs on the inner surface.
How to Grow and Care for Tylecodon bodleyae
Light: This succulent can survive direct sunlight exposure without problems, but it will grow beautifully in partial shade.
Soil: A well-draining soil mix is a key to healthy T. bodleyae. Poor drainage and overwatering most commonly cause root rot in both indoor and outdoor plants. Indoors, it is essential to use pots with at least one drainage hole at the bottom.
Hardiness: Like all Tylecodons, this succulent is highly tolerant of high temperatures and also tolerant to cold, frost-free conditions during the winter. T. bodleyae can withstand temperatures as low as 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.
Watering: As a winter grower, T. bodleyae requires careful watering during winter and spring. Get the soil wet, and then wait until it is dry before watering again. In summer, reduce watering to once per month.
Fertilizing: Use liquid fertilizer for cacti and other succulents in winter.
Repotting: You do not need to repot this plant often. You can do it when the container becomes too small or shallow.
Propagation: T. bodleyae can be cultivated either by seed or by cuttings. Sow the seeds in fall and winter. The best time for taking cuttings is the fall.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Tylecodon.
Toxicity of Tylecodon bodleyae
T. bodleyae is adapted to avoid animal predation being poisonous. Therefore, keep it away from children, pets, and livestock.
Links
- Back to genus Tylecodon
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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