Adromischus cristatus var. clavifolius (Haw.) Toelken

Publication: Bothalia 12: 385 1978

Description

Adromischus cristatus var. clavifolius is an exquisite dwarf succulent plant forming a compact clusters of fat, club-shaped, silver-green leaves so often called Pretty Pebbles. It is also easily recognized by the short stem wrapped in a thick coat of reddish, tangled, wiry, hairlike aerial roots. It is very variable and has also at times been confused with Adromischus cooperi.

Roots: Fibrous.

Stems: Erect 2-5(-8) cm tall with fibrous reddish-brown roots at base. and glandular hairs on stem.

Leaves: 1,5-5 cm long, 5-10 mm broad, swollen, club-shaped to somewhat reversed-triangular, spatulate or oblong-elliptic, tip truncate or rounded to more or less broadened and crisped, base wedge-shaped to petiolate. Light green to grey-green sometime with darker markings.

Inflorescence: Spike-like thyrse with 1-flowered cyme 10-20 cm high, grey-green.

Flowers: Buds terete. slightly grooved, gradually tapered towards tip, erect at first, later spreading. Flowers 1-1,2 cm, calyx 1,5-3 mm long, grey-green, corolla-lobes 2-1,5 mm wide, ovate-triangular, acute,white tinged pink, with darker margin, spreading or recurved, rough and with club-shaped hairs mainly in throat. Anthers 0,6-0,9 mm long, not protruding from corolla-tube. Squamae about square, 1-1,2 mm long and broad. Pedicels 1-2 mm long.

Origin and Habitat

Adromischus cristatus var. clavifolius is grows in small restricted to scattered populations in South Africa between Alexandria, Grahamstown and East London (Cape Province). South Africa.

Habitat and ecology: It is usually found growing on shallow soil on rock outcrops.

Cultivation and Propagation

Adromischus cristatus is a fairly easy succulent to grow and one of the easier Adromischus speciest.

Growth rate: Adromischus cristatus is a popular, fast growing species.

Soil: It prefer well-drained soil.

Repotting: Repot every other years. All species of this genus are happy in small pots.

Exposure: It grows best in a partially shaded position. It got sunburned if exposed to midday sun.

Hardiness: Require a minimum temperature 5°C (But hardy down to -7°C for short periods), with good drainage and dryness in winter to resist the cold.

Watering: It takes more water than cacti, but let the soil dry between soaking, in the wild, it receives rain mostly in spring and fall. Must have very dry atmosphere. Water less in winter but do not allow it to shrivel.

Pest & disease: It is vulnerable to mealybugs and rarely scale. It is prone to rotting from the tuberous base or from dried inflorescences. It is also very attractive to aphids. .

Maintenance: As the plant matures, the centre becomes bare. When it does, restart it from side cuttings and throw away the central part.

Propagation: Usually propagate from single leaves (leaf cuttings) or stem cuttings seed propagation is rarely used. Leaves easily root and produce new plants. Twist off a leaf and permit it to dry out a couple of days, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. The original leaf should not be removed until it has dried up. Try to keep the leaf somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward. If grown in a container, bottom watering by immersing the container is recommended.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

1. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/ago/2011

2. J.P. Roux “Flora of South Africa“ 2003

3. Ben P. Barkhuizen “Succulents of Southern Africa: With Specific Reference to the Succulent Families Found in the Republic of South Africa and South West Africa” Purnell, 1978

4. Domitilla Raimondo “Red list of South African plants 2009” South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2009

5. Ernst Van Jaarsveld, Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Gideon Smith “Succulents of South Africa: A Guide to the Regional Diversity” Tafelberg Publishers, Limited, 01/lug/2000

6. Wilhelm von Roeder “Sukkulenten; ein Führer für Liebhaber und Sammler durch das Reich der Fettpflanzen” Stuttgart, Franckh 1931

7. Hermann Jacobsen “A Handbook of Succulent Plants: Abromeitiella to Euphorbia” Blandford Press, 1960

8. Werner Rauh “Die großartige Welt der Sukkulenten : Anzucht und Kultur sukkulenter Pflanzen mit Ausnahme der Kakteen” Hamburg; Berlin: P. Parey, cop. 1967

9. Claude Chidamian “The book of cacti: and other succulents” American Garden Guild, 1958

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