Publication: Nat. Pflanzenfam., ed. 2 [Engler & Prantl] 2 18a: 416 1930
Description
Adromischus triflorus is an exquisite dwarf perennial succulent plant forming a clusters with decumbent stems to 20 cm long. The shape and size of the leaves of this species are very variable and a number of local forms can be recognized. Often the leaves have reddish speckles that tend to become more intense in bright light; however, sometimes the leaves are devoid of spots. Flowers are greenish on the outside and white or pink inside the petals. Flowering occurs in summer.
Distinguishing characteristics: It is easily distinguished from all other species by the curved apices of the buds.
Roots: Fibrous.
Stems: Stemlets decumbent or prostrate 8-10(-20) cm long, little branched from the base.
Leaves: Leaves variable, erectly spreading, decussate, oblanceolate, obovate-spatulate, to obtriangular, rarely oblanceolate-rhombic, 30-50(-70) mm long, (10-)15-25 mm wide, longer than broad, cuneate to shortly petiolate, mostly truncate, rarely obtuse, usually convex on both sides, thicker in the lower part, horny margin in upper half, silvery grey, grey-green to greyish brown, glaucous, with tiny waxy dots, often (but not always) with red splotches mostly on the upper leaf.
Inflorescence (thyrse): (18-)25-35 cm tall, with l-3(-5)-flowered cymes, grey-green. Pedicels (l-)2-4(-6) mm long.
Flowers: Buds terete and curved at the apex, spreading. Calyx 1,5-2 mm long, grey-green. Corolla tube cylindrical 8-10 mm, yellowish-green, corolla lobes lanceolate-triangular, 3-5 mm long, white or pink with purple margins, and with club-shaped trichomes mainly towards throat Anthers included. Squamae square to oblong-ovate, 0,9-1,1 x 0,7-0,9 mm, emarginate, broadest at about the midle or below.
Flowering period (in habitat): (November) December, January.
Similar species: It can be easily confused with Adromischus liebenbergii which has similar leaves and occurs in the same area, but has different flowers. It is also confused with Adromischus maculatus which is a very similar, but larger species found on the higher slopes on which the horny leaf rim runs all around the margin to the base. In cultivation it is frequently found labelled as “Adromischus tuncatum” an old unsubscribed horticultural name that does not exist as a species.
Origin and Habitat
Adromischus triflorus is the most common species in the Little Karoo and adjoining areas (From south-western Great Karoo and Little Karoo from near Worcester to Willowmore and Mossel Bay), South-Africa.
Altitude: 50 - 1800 metres above sea level.
Habitat and ecology: It is locally common on gravelly lower slopes or associated with rock outcrops. The plant grows in shade or shows some hardship from full sun.
Cultivation and Propagation
Adromischus triflorus is a fairly easy succulent to grow and one of the easier Adromischus species.
Growth rate: Adromischus triflorus 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: Adromischus seeds are very small and seed propagation is rarely used. It is easily propagated by leaf cuttings. 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
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Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01 giu 2000
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Hermann Jacobsen “Abromeitiella to Euphorbia” Blandford Press, 1960
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Hermann Jacobsen “A handbook of succulent plants: descriptions, synonyms, and cultural details for succulents other than Cactaceae” Volume 1 Blandford Press, 1960
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Dr J.P. Roux “Flora of South Africa” 2003
From llifle page Adromischus subpetiolatus
Description
Adromischus marianae f. alveolatus is one of the innumerable morphological and geographical variant of the very variable Adromischus marianae . It is a naturally occurring form similar to Adromischus marianae f. herrei distinguished by peculiar leaves which are shorter less acute, generally more robust, and with a very rough surface. Tubercles are formed occasionally, and very often these run together to form minute and irregularly reticulate, low, rounded ridges. Some of these plants are quite extraordinary in shape.
Habit: It is a much-branched small perennial leaf succulent, with thick stems
Roots: Tuberous, occasionally continued in fat fibrous roots.
Stem: 1-2 cm. long, up to 5 mm in diameter, thick ascending often constricted at the base, pale tan-green or yellow green, sometimes whitish, rugose.
Leaves: Up to 3.5 cm long and 20 mm wide, shortly petiolate, subopposite to sub- rosulate, horizontal to erect, usually symmetrical, sub-spherical to obovate or elliptic, longer than broad, often caniculate above, tappered at both ends, verrucose (warty), often alveolate, sometimes with small tubercles, unspotted, grey-green to greyish brown with a with a thick bloom. Base wedge-shaped. Margin only slightly raised and not horny, the apex often subacute.
Inflorescence:Simple spike-like thyrse,with 1-flowered cyme 10-25 cm high, peduncle up to 17 cm long, up to 2.5 mm. thick, glaucous, sometimes zig-zag, lower 4 cm with abuot 5 thick, deltoid, pulverulent sterile bracts 1 or more mm wide and 2 mm long; rachis 10 to 15 cm.
Flowers: Buds terete, slightly grooved. Flowers up to 15 erect, single, usually spirally arranged about 1 cm. apart, occasionally more crowded to almost opposite. Pedicels pulverulent, white, 4 to 7 mm, long, 2 to 3 mm. Thick. 1-1,2 cm long pale pink, with 5 petals basally fused to form a greyish-white cylindrical tube gradually tapered towards tip, erect at first, later spreading. Corolla-lobes 2-3 mm long, and 2 mm wide, deltoid, acute, spreading or recurved, pulverulent white with purple margins, rough and with club-shaped hairs mainly in throat. Anthers not protruding from corolla tube. Perianth tube glaucous, yellowish at base, green above, maroon at apex, bright green inside, 15 mm. long, 5 mm across, barely inflated, constricted just below mouth ., the cross-section at mid-point pentagonal. Filaments in two rows at about mid-tube, about 5 mm long, green.Anthers included, oblong, creamy yellow. Carpels 10 to 11 mm long, green, smooth, subulate, the styles abruptly narrowing, pale yellowish green, the stigmas included. Nectary scales about 1.7 mm long and broad yellow.
Seeds: Very small.
Origin and Habitat
Cape Province: Little Namaqualand, South Africa.
Type locality: 8 miles north of Concordia on the road to Goodhouse.
Habitat: It grows in fissures on exposed sloping granite rock faces, together with a species of fern, Euphorbia dregeana, Ruschia frutescens, Ruschia albiflora, Othonna euphorbioides, Senecio cephalophora and Conophytum pellucidum.
Cultivation and Propagation
Adromischus marianae is a most beautiful succulent but rarely seen in cultivation. It is not the easiest species to cultivate, and highly prone to rotting off, both at the height of winter or summer.
Growth rate: It is a relatively fast growing species.
Soil: Use mineral well-permeable substratum with very little organic matter (peat, humus). It needs perfect drainage to flourish.
Repotting: Repotting every 2-3 years. As it is especially prone to rot under-pot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost. Use pot with good drainage. 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. I would not advise that any Adromischus be grown in shade, as they soon become atypical in this condition.
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. If the plants are not watered and “aired” correctly, fungicides won’t help all that much.
Maintenance: As the plant matures, the centre becomes bare. When it does, restart it from side cuttings and throw away the central part. Remove flower spikes before winter.
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
-
Hermann Jacobsen “A handbook of succulent plants: descriptions, synonyms, and cultural details for succulents other than Cactaceae,” Volume 1 Blandford Press, 1960
-
Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01/giu/2000
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P. C. Hutchison “Adromischus alveolatus P. C. Hutchison-1” Cactus & Succulent Journal of Americ, XXVIII Nr. 6 1954
Source: Adromischus subpetiolatus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.