Scientific Name
Tylecodon grandiflorus (Burm.f.) Toelken
Common Name(s)
Dwarf Butter Tree
Synonym(s)
Cotyledon curviflora, Cotyledon grandiflora, Cotyledon purpurea, Cotyledon tuberculosa, Umbilicus tuberculosus
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Tylecodon
Origin
This species is native to South Africa (Northern Cape and Western Cape).
Description
Tylecodon grandiflorus is a low-growing succulent with a thick irregularly-shaped stem and a few decumbent branches that grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) long. The main stem and branches have grey to yellowish peeling bark. Leaves are green to brownish green, linear-elliptic to linear-oblanceolate with grooved to channeled upper surface, up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long and up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) wide. Flowers are orange-red, tubular, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long, and appear in late summer after the plant loses its leaves.
Etymology
The specific epithet "grandiflorus" derives from the Latin words "grandis," meaning "large," and "flos," meaning "flower," and refers to the largest flowers in the genus.
How to Grow and Care for Tylecodon grandiflorus
Soil: Well-draining soil mix is the key to healthy Tylecodon. Poor drainage and overwatering most commonly cause root rot in both indoor and outdoor plants.
Light: Tylecodons can survive direct sunlight exposure without any problems, but they will grow beautifully when in shadow.
Hardiness: Tylecodon grandiflorus can withstand temperatures as low as 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b.
Watering: As winter is the growing season, Tylecodons require careful watering during the winter until the spring. Get the soil wet, and then wait until it is dry before watering again. In the summer, reduce watering to once per month.
Fertilizing: Use liquid fertilizer for cacti and other succulents during the winter months.
Repotting: You do not need to repot these plants often. You can do it when you see that the container becomes too small or shallow.
Propagation: Tylecodons can be cultivated either by seed or by cuttings.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Tylecodon.
Toxicity of Tylecodon grandiflorus
Tylecodon species are adapted to avoid animal predation being poisonous. Therefore, keep them 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
Photo Gallery
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