Publication: Gard. Chron. III, 71: 231 1922
Description
Conophytum jucundum named for its “pleasant” character (from Latin name jucundum meaning pleasant, jocund.) is a dwarf plant with small with rounded, light-green and spotted evergreen bodies, forming in its development a tight or loose mat or cushion reaching a height of 6–15 centimetres. It is quite variable. In fact, the relationships between the various ecotypes of C. jucundum and also Conophytum obscurum need further research. It might be better known under the later name of Conophytum gratum (a name younger than C. jucundum) or one of the various other segregate species that have been lumped together.
Stems: Elongate in age with internodes varying in length but usually visible.
Bodies (paired leaves): 6-25 mm long and broad, globose to turbiniform, flattish at the top, with the centre often slightly depressed, pale greyish-green, pale dull green to bluish-white, spotted with dark green or finally red, usually glabrous, often pitted like orange peel, fissure often red-ringed. Sheath whitish, maculate, rather rigid.
Flowers: Petals pale pink to magenta (or white).
Blooming season: The flowering period extends from late Summer to mid Autumn.
Fruits: 4-5-locular.
Origin and Habitat
This species is very widespread in the Richtersveld, Namaqualand, Northern Cape, South-Africa.
Altitude: 700 to 1100 meters above sea level.
Habitat: Conophytum jucundum are winter grower succulents found on granite, sandstone or shale outcrops. They grow in the form of rounded stones and hide themselves among the rocks and in crevices.
Cultivation and Propagation
Conophytum jucundum is a “winter” grower which is most active from late winter until later spring and heading for summer dormancy, but in favourable growing conditions it keeps going over the summer too and doesn’t need particular care. All the forms of Conophytum jucundum are relatively easy to grow.
Soil: Requires good drainage as it it is prone to root rot. It can grows outdoor in sunny, dry, rock crevices (protection against winter wet is required) It can also be cultivated in alpine house, in poor, drained soil.
Watering: It requires little water; otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Water minimally in summer, (only when the plant starts shrivelling), but it will generally grow even in summer if given water. Water regularly in winter after the previous year’s leaves have dried up. Requires good drainage.
Fertilization: Feed it once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus succulents (poor in nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. It thrives in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Exposure: Keep cool and shaded in summer, it needs full sun or light shade.
Temperature: Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation.
Repotting: Avoid to repot frequently. This plant may stay in the same pot for many years.
Uses: Container, rock garden.
Pests and diseases: It is vulnerable to mealybugs and rarely scale.
Propagation: It can be reproduced both by cuttings and seeds. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant. Each cutting must contain one or more heads along with a fraction of root. It is easily propagated by seed. The small seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sand, any time during the spring and summer months when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a very fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the first 3-4 days cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shadecloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on mistings can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
-
Gibbs Russell, G. E., W. G. Welman, E. Reitief, K. L. Immelman, G. Germishuizen, B. J. Pienaar, M. v. Wyk & A. Nicholas. 1987. “List of species of southern African plants.” in: Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa 2(1–2): 1–152(pt. 1), 1–270(pt. 2).
-
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” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
-
Hammer, S. 1993. “The Genus Conophytum - A Conograph.” Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
-
Hammer, S. 2002. “Dumpling and His Wife: New Views of the Genus Conophytum.” East Anglia Engraving Creative Colour Ltd, Norwich, England.
-
Ernst Van Jaarsveld, Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Gideon Smith “Succulents of South Africa: A Guide to the Regional Diversity” Tafelberg Publishers, Limited, 01/Jul/2000
-
Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer, 2002
-
Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
-
Gard. Chron., ser. 3 71: 231 (1922)
-
Cholo, F. & Raimondo, D. 2008. Conophytum jucundum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br. subsp. jucundum. National Assessment: “Red List of South African Plants” version 2013.1. Accessed on 2014/02/04
From llifle page Conophytum maximum
Description
Conophytum maximum is another species of the Conophytum jucundum complex distinguished by larger, grey-green, bodies up to 25 mm in Ø (or more), variably dotted with a darker green. The top surfaces of the bodies are concave with a very small fissure.
Note: Conophytum jucundum is a very variable species comprising many morphological and geographical variant that was early classified as different independent species. Nowadays all this plant are considered part of a multiform species, where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate characteristics.
Habit: It is a dwarf fast grower evergreen succulent plant, forming in its development a tight or loose mat or cushion reaching a height of 6–15 centimetres.
Stems: Elongate in age with internodes varying in length but usually visible.
Bodies (paired leaves): 25-30 mm long and 25 mm broad, obconical to turbiniform. The top surface of the bodies are concave with a very small fissure (about 3 mm), pale greyish-green or bluish-green, spotted with dark green, glabrous. Sheath whitish, maculate, rather rigid. with small with rounded, light-green and spotted bodies
Flowers: Petals pale white, pink or magenta.
Blooming season: The flowering period extends from late Summer to mid Autumn.
Fruits: 4-5-locular.
Origin and Habitat
Little Namaqualand. South Africa.
Habitat: Conophytum maximum are winter grower succulents that grow in the form of rounded stones and hide themselves among the rocks and in crevices.
Cultivation and Propagation
Conophytum maximum (= Conophytum jucundum) is a “winter” grower which is most active from late winter until later spring and heading for summer dormancy, but in favourable growing conditions it keeps going over the summer too and doesn’t need particular care. All the forms of Conophytum jucundum are relatively easy to grow.
Soil: Requires good drainage as it it is prone to root rot. It can grows outdoor in sunny, dry, rock crevices (protection against winter wet is required) It can also be cultivated in alpine house, in poor, drained soil.
Watering: It requires little water; otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Water minimally in summer, (only when the plant starts shrivelling), but it will generally grow even in summer if given water. Water regularly in winter after the previous year’s leaves have dried up. Requires good drainage.
Fertilization: Feed it once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus succulents (poor in nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. It thrives in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Exposure: Keep cool and shaded in summer, it needs full sun or light shade.
Temperature: Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation.
Repotting: Avoid to repot frequently. This plant may stay in the same pot for many years.
Uses: Container, rock garden.
Pests and diseases: It is vulnerable to mealybugs and rarely scale.
Propagation: It can be reproduced both by cuttings and seeds. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant. Each cutting must contain one or more heads along with a fraction of root. It is easily propagated by seed. The small seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sand, any time during the spring and summer months when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a very fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the first 3-4 days cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shadecloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on mistings can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
-
Gibbs Russell, G. E., W. G. Welman, E. Reitief, K. L. Immelman, G. Germishuizen, B. J. Pienaar, M. v. Wyk & A. Nicholas. 1987. “List of species of southern African plants.” in: Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa 2(1–2): 1–152(pt. 1), 1–270(pt. 2).
-
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” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
-
Hammer, S. 1993. “The Genus Conophytum - A Conograph.” Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
-
Hammer, S. 2002. “Dumpling and His Wife: New Views of the Genus Conophytum.” East Anglia Engraving Creative Colour Ltd, Norwich, England.
-
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
-
Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer, 2002
-
Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
-
Gard. Chron., ser. 3 71: 231 (1922)
-
Cholo, F. & Raimondo, D. 2008. Conophytum jucundum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br. subsp. jucundum. National Assessment: “Red List of South African Plants” version 2013.1. Accessed on 2014/02/04
-
African Succulent Plant Society “The Bulletin of the African Succulent Plant Society”, Volumes 7-8 African Succulent Plant Society., 1972
Source: Conophytum maximum, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.