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It is notable for its show of long-lasting bright yellow flowers. Blooms
from autumn to hearly winter. |
Description: Cheridopsis brownii is a small cushion forming leaf
succulent, it has approx the size of a Lithops and forms clumps 5-10 cm
in diameter. Cheiridopsis are dormant in summer.
Stems: Very short with only 2 or 4 leaves.
Leaves: Bluish-grey-green 3-5 cm long with darker green dots,
united to form a conical body.
Flowers: Yellow, up to 6 cm in diameter.
Blooming season: Late autumn. Sometime plants blooms when though
they are still in their old sheat.
Note: Cheiridopsis are distinguished from
Lithops for the fact that the flower has 12 stigmas, versus 5 or 6 in
Lithops. This directly affects the number of seed chambers.
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Family: Mesebrianthemaceae (Aizoaceae)
Scientific name: Cheiridopsis brownii
Schick & Tischer
Origin: Coast around Alexander Bay and Richtersveld Natl Pk,
Orange River, Cape province, South Africa.
Habitat: Coastal desert mountains, grows
in shale or on quartz ridge in cracks and fissures.
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Etymology: Cheiridopsis brownii was named in honour of Brown by
Dr Tischer who died in 2000 at the age of 105
Synonyms:
- Cheiridopsis graessneri Schick &
Tischer
- Cheiridopsis staminodifera
L.Bolus
- Cheiridopsis insignis Schwantes
- Cheiridopsis pachyphylla
Schwantes
- Cheiridopsis schlechteri
Schwantes
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Cultivation: Cheiridopsis is
easy to grow. These plants grow on winter rain and were heading for
summer dormancy. Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks
(resulting in unsightly scars). Water minimally in summer, only when the
plant starts shrivelling but will generally grow even in summer if given
water. Requires good drainage. Keep cool and shaded in summer, need full
sun or light shade. Hardy to -2°C
Propagation: Seeds, cuttings.
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