Description
Lithops karasmontana subs. eberlanzii is one of the innumerable local form of the very variable Lithops karasmontana distingushed for the large, irregular, dark green window which is below the level of the edges, and has lobed margins and islands. Flowers white. It has the same variable characteristics of the species. This species resembles Lithops karasmontana subs. bella. The main points of difference are window of subs. bella is transparent and pellucid, whereas that of subs. Eberlanzii is so to say opaque; the ridges of the top surface in subs. bella are raised slightly above the level of the window and are coloured at one stage buff coloured, in subs. Eberlanzii the window and the laciniae seem to merge into a wavy surface and the ridges are coloured greenish white; outer margin of subs. bella has a few laciniae of very irregular shape, some consisting of a large irregular body joined by narrow strip to the margin, and in subs. Eberlanzii outer margin consists of laciniae giving the whole the appearance of being toothed.
Habit: Bodies solitary or in groups of 2 or more, to 4 cm high.
Bodies (paired leaves): More or less subequal, each 2,5-3 cm; top of lobe flat or subconvex; sides and top tinted a violaceous grey; window semi-opaque, surface slightly uneven, the depressions coloured lighter than the ridges, which are coloured a deeper grey; outer margin of numerous (20) more or less uniform teeth; inner margin very nearly straight with here and there a lacinia projecting into the window; laciniae very slightly raised above the surface of the window.
Flowers: Big up to 4,5 cm in diameter (mostly 25-35 mm) satiny white, narrow-rayed.
Blooming season: Late summer or early autumn.
Fruit: Seed capsules mostly 6-chambered, otherwise 4 or 5-chambered. Profile boat-shaped.
Seeds: Minuscule, yellow-brown; smooth to rugose.
Remarks: Lithops are partly subterranean, with only the clear ‘window’ in each leaf tip exposed above soil. A type of optical system exists whereby a layer of apical tissue rich in calcium oxalate crystals acts as a filter to intense sunlight before it reaches the thin chlorophyllous layer below. They are also called mimicry plants as they show a striking similarity to their background rocks and are difficult to detect when not in flower. These are the commonly known as pebble plants or living stones; each species is associated with one particular type of rock formation and occurs nowhere else. Its soil-embedded, subterranean growth form also reduces the need for chemical defences against herbivores.
Origin and Habitat
TL: 110 km SSE of Aus, Namibia.
Cultivation and Propagation
Lithops need an open mineral, fast draining mix and the maximum amount of light you are able to give them. The basic cultivation routine is: Stop watering after flowering. Start watering after the old leaves completely dry. (Usually late March or Early April) Water freely during the growing season, soak the compost fully but allow it to dry out between waterings. Some growers fertilize frequently, some hardly ever. Keep them dry during the winter. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid.
Propagation: From seed, with seed planting best in either October or April.
Bibliography
Major refences and further lectures
-
Heidrun E. K. Hartmann (2002) “Aizoaceae F – Z” Springer
-
Achim Hecktheuer (2008) “Mesembs, mehr als nur Lithops” Books on Demand GmbH Norderstedt.
-
Desmond T. Cole & Naureen A. Cole, Uwe Beyer, Yves Delange (2008) “Les Lithops” SUCCULENTES Spécial 2008 AIAPS (now Terra seca).
-
Desmond T. Cole & Naureen A. Cole (2005) “LITHOPS Flowering Stones” Cactus & Co. Libri.
-
Yasuhiko Shimada (2001) “The Genus Lithops” Dobun Shoin. ISBN 4-8103-4066-X
-
Rudolf Heine (1986) “Lithops - Lebende Steine” Neumann Verlag.
-
Bernd Schlösser (2000) “Lithops – Lebende Steine” Praktische Anleitung für die Zimmerkultur. BussinessPoint MEDIA.
-
Steven A. Hammer (1999) “Lithops – Treasures of the veld” British Cactus and Succulent Society.
-
Desmond T. Cole (1988) “Lithops – Flowering Stones” Acorn Books CC.
-
Rudolf Heine (1986) “Lithops – lebende Steine” Neumann Verlag.
-
David L. Sprechman (1970) “Lithops” Associated University Presses, Inc.
-
Gert Cornelius Nel (1946) “Lithops” Hortors Limited, South Africa
Gallery
