Scientific Name
Tylecodon hirtifolius (W.F.Barker) Toelken
Synonym(s)
Cotyledon hirtifolia, Tylecodon hirtifolium
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Tylecodon
Etymology
The specific epithet "hirtifolius (hirt-ih-FOH-lee-us)" means "having hairy leaves" and refers to the glandular hairs that cover the leaves of this species.
Origin
Tylecodon hirtifolius is native to South Africa. It occurs between Komaggas and Spektakel Pass in the Northern Cape.
Description
Tylecodon hirtifolius, also known as Tylecodon hirtifolium, is a low, sparingly branched succulent shrub with spreading to decumbent branches densely covered with grey-black, truncate phyllopodia, sometimes replaced by a peeling bark. It can grow up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall., while the branches can reach up to 0.8 inches (20 cm) in length and 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. The leaves are flat, oblanceolate to obovate, with upper face concave and lower face convex, measuring up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) wide. They are green or yellowish-green and densely covered with glandular hairs.
The flowers are tubular, glandular-hairy, yellowish-green with white to pale yellow recurved petals. They can grow up to 0.7 inches (1.8 cm) long and appear on slender stalks in mid-summer. The flower stalks can reach up to 2.5 feet (75 cm) in length. The leaves are dry at flowering.
How to Grow and Care for Tylecodon hirtifolius
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. hirtifolius. 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 when it comes to high temperatures and also tolerant of cold, frost-free conditions during the winter. T. hirtifolius can withstand temperatures as low as 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b.
Watering: As a winter grower, T. hirtifolius 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 during 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. hirtifolius 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 hirtifolius
T. hirtifolius is adapted to avoid animal predation being poisonous. 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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