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  Senecio stapeliformis v. minor CACTUS ART
NURSERY

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of Cacti and Succulents.


Senecio stapeliiformis minor forma cristata
This is an unusual member of the daisy family, here seen in the magnificent crested form.

Description: Senecio stapeliformis is an erect or sprawling succulent shrublet up to 35 cm high (or more) with tiny vestigial leaves. The variety minima has thinner stems and has the tendancy to sprawl as it grows so it might make a good hanging plant. With plenty of place this plant sprawls naturally literally crawling across the ground.
Stems: Blue-green, with longitudinal stripes, fleshy almost leafless; ssp. minor has less fleshy stems than species which are normally 1-2cm thick with purple staining. Young shoots at first grow underground.  In winter it may assume a green-pink colouring.
Leaves: Dark green leaves, 5mm long, ephemeral caducous;
Flowers: Adult plants make terminal clusters of vivid orange or bright red discoid flower-heads, 2-2,5cm wide, at the tip of the stems. Ray florets absent;  tube glabrous, slightly expanded in upper half.  Fluffy seed heads follow.
Blooming season: Spring, Summer
Fruit:
The fruit is an achene.
 

 


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Family: Asteraceae (Sunflowers family)
 

Scientific name :  Senecio stapeliformis v. minor G.D.Rowley.


(Sometimes spelled stapeliaeformis or stapeliiformis)

Origin: South Africa (Transvaal)

Etymology: The name "Senecio" is from the Latin word, senex meaning "old man" because of the white pappus (feathery bristles on the fruit) The epithet, "stapeliformis" refers to its resemblance with the stapeliads.
(
"Kleinia" is named after the German zoologist, Dr Klein 1685-1759.)

Synonyms:  
  • Kleinia gregorii (S.Moore) C.Jeffrey.
  • Kleinia stapeliaeformis subsp. minor Phillips)Stapf.

Cultivation: S. stapeliformis is an easy-to-grow succulent. Grow in cactus compost with good drainage. Water regularly in summer, leaving the soil dry for a few days before watering again.  When watering we suggest avoiding excesses, but to wet the substratum well. During the winter months avoid watering the plants located where there’s a cold climate. Grow it in a sunny spot at least a few hours a day. But it can also be cultivated in a covered place, in an apartment or green house. They don't like temperatures below 10°C (but are resistant down to 0° C for short period, but only if the soil stays completely dry. ) During late Spring they can be moved outdoors. It may be grown outside in mild climates.
 

 

The stems are glaucous-green with dark-green (or purplish) longitudinal stripes.

Photo gallery: Alphabetical listing of Cactus and Succulent pictures published in this site.

Photo gallery SENECIO

Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Succulents. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.