Publication: Bradleya 15: 42 (1997
Description
Conophytum tantillum subs. amicorum distinguishes for the thick bodies, always unlined, and subtly keeled. The yellow flowers contain the yellow pigment betaxanthin.
Habit: It is a small densely branched species characterised by small, two-lobed plant bodies forming tight or loose flat mats that “retracts” as summer approaches, and then the sheaths are tightly sealed over the bodies.
Stem: It is almost stemless.
Bodies (paired leaves): Up to 10 mm tall, cone-shaped or cylindric below, always unlined, and subtly keeled, sheaths brown very firm.
Flowers: Petals mostly yellow. They are simple, daisy-like, early diurnal.
Blooming season: They arise at the beginning of the growing period in September to October. Seedlings are capable of bearing flowers within 2 to 3 years.
Fruit: 4-5 locular.
Origin and Habitat
South west of Steinkopf, Northern Cape, South Africa.
Habitat and ecology: It grows in white quartz hill near Steinkopf. It cohabits with Conophytum flavum and hybrids between the two have been noted. It looks rather similar to Conophytum meyeri that has Steinkopf quoted as its type locality, even though it is not known from that area today.
Cultivation and Propagation
It is relatively easy to grow. These plants grow on winter rain and head for summer dormancy. More or less dormant in summer.
Soil: Use well-drained soil mix.
Water: 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.
Exposure: Plants prefer morning sun and some protection against afternoon hot sun in mid-summer; it needs full sun or light shade in the other seasons. Keep dormant in summer and keep protected during this period.
Hardiness: Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation.
Maintenance: 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. With age the plants can grow raggedly leggy and it is best to renew them from cuttings.
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
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Cholo, F. & Raimondo, D. 2008. Conophytum tantillum N.E.Br. subsp. amicorum S.A.Hammer & Barnhill. National Assessment: “Red List of South African Plants” version 2013.1. Accessed on 2014/01/30
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Nicholas Edward Brown, A. Tischer, M. C. Karsten “Mesembryanthema; Descriptions: With Chapters on Cultivation and General Ecology” L. Reeve, 1931
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Gordon D. Rowley “The illustrated encyclopedia of succulents” Crown Publishers, 01/Aug/1978
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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
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Hammer, S. 1993. “The Genus Conophytum - A Conograph.” Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
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Hammer, S. 2002. “Dumpling and His Wife: New Views of the Genus Conophytum.” East Anglia Engraving Creative Colour Ltd, Norwich, England.
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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
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Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer, 2002
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Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
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Hermann Jacobsen “Lexicon of Succulent Plants” Littlehampton Book Services Ltd. 1974