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Conophytum obcordellum f. multicolor (Tischer) Tischer

Family: AIZOACEAE · Variety or form of Conophytum obcordellum

Publication: Natl. Cact. Succ. J. 3, 1969

Description

Conophytum obcordellum is a very variable species with tiny pancake-shaped bodies marked with few to many coloured dots and lines. It comprises several questionable varieties and its taxonomic history has undergone several changes.

Conophytum obcordellum fa. multicolor, formerly known as Conophytum multicolor, is a particularly colourful form of C. obcordellum, distinguished through its particularly lively, grey-green almost metallic colouring, and the sides and the markings on the top of the body are dark purple. The rest of the features are fully identical with C. obcordellum. Dark purple colouring is also evident in Conophytum obcordellum fa. picturatum. Conophytum obcordellum fa. Multicolor is one of the prettiest and priced forms.

Bodies (paired leaves): Inverted-conical to almost pancake-shaped, 10-15 mm tall, 8-12 mm in diameter, top flat or slightly convex, the edge often rolled significantly. Surface smooth, blue-green or steel blue. Sites usually purple, upper surface face marked with numerous short rows or lines of lines of dark ruby points which branch in net fashion.

Flowers: Often paired, large white or creamy with a pale yellow centre. The thin petals form an almost star-like, spidery structure, they are aromatic and very showy.

Blooming season: Blooms mostly in autumn (in cultivation in Europe August-November). The flowers are numerous and open at night.

Origin and Habitat

Van Rhynsdorp district, Cape Province, South Africa.

Cultivation and Propagation

Conophytum obcordellum f. multicolor is easy to grow. These plants grow on winter rain and head for summer dormancy. More or less dormant in summer. The plant requires little water; otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Water throughout the year although 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. Keep cool and shaded from hot sun in mid-summer; it needs full sun or light shade in the other seasons. Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation. Avoid to repot frequently. This plant may stay in the same pot for many years. Plants grown in larger containers have frequently relatively poor flowers. It might improve when the plants are given their own, small individual pots.

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.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

  1. “Conophytum multicolor” in The National Cactus and Succulent Journal: The Official Journal of the National Cactus & Succulent Society Volumes 23-26, page 30, National Cactus and Succulent Society, 1968

  2. Steven A. Hammer “The genus Conophytum: a conograph” Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria1993

  3. Tischer “Conophytum multicolor” Succulenta 10:127-128 (1928)

  4. 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

  5. Hammer, S. 2002. “Dumpling and His Wife: New Views of the Genus Conophytum.” East Anglia Engraving Creative Colour Ltd, Norwich, England.

  6. Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer, 2002

  7. Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984

  8. Hermann Jacobsen “Lexicon of Succulent Plants” Littlehampton Book Services Ltd. 1974