€10,60

🌱 Morphology
Small perennial succulent with a compact and very characteristic habit. It forms erect stems of about 5–15 cm, generally with a single main axis and occasionally some short branches from the base; with age, they may become partially decumbent. The internodes are practically hidden by the leaves.

The leaves are broadly ovate, approximately 5–8 × 7–13 mm, with an obtuse apex. They are strongly concave on the upper side and convex on the lower side, closely clasping the stem and overlapping each other to form a characteristic quadrangular-section column, about 10–15 mm and occasionally up to 20 mm in diameter. Their surface is densely covered with small rounded papillae that give it a grayish and finely velvety appearance; the margins also feature short, stiff hairs that become more papillose towards the apex.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It is native to southwestern Namibia and the extreme northwestern part of South Africa, in a narrow coastal strip from the Buchu Mountains area to Grootmis. It lives in the Richtersveld and Namaqualand, on quartzite gravel on gentle slopes, generally towards the higher parts of small elevations, between about 100 and 300 m in altitude. Its conservation status in its habitat is classified as Vulnerable (VU).

It belongs to the Crassulaceae family.

❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9b–11b
It is a species from an arid coastal environment, where oceanic influence moderates temperatures. It is recommended to protect it from intense frosts and, especially, to avoid keeping it cold and wet for prolonged periods. In cold conditions, the substrate must be kept completely dry.

☀️ Lighting
It requires very high light levels to maintain the compactness of the stems and the intense grayish coloration produced by the dense papillose coverage of the leaves. Indicative DLI PAR: 15–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹. With low light, it may lose its characteristic columnar structure and acquire a more open growth.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Summer dormancy. It comes from an area of the Richtersveld and Namaqualand characterized by marked aridity and rainfall mainly associated with the cooler periods. Therefore, growth is favored during periods of moderate temperatures, while during periods of extreme heat and dryness, a slowdown occurs.

During active growth, abundant watering is recommended, allowing the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. During periods of intense heat, watering should be significantly reduced and may be kept almost dry if the plant has stopped growing.

🌸 Flowering
The inflorescence is a terminal thyrse with a rounded appearance, supported by a peduncle about 3–6 cm long covered with recurved hairs. The small flowers are tubular, cream-colored and acquiring brownish tones, with petals about 2–3 mm long and brown anthers. In Spain, flowering occurs in autumn and may shift according to temperatures and cultivation conditions.

🌿 Nutrition
During active growth periods, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, applied after watering and with the substrate previously moistened. If one wishes to encourage floral induction and development, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering before blooming.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

📏 Gourmet xerophyte in a 9x9 cm pot.

* Since this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The measurements of the plant are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly because it is a living thing! Each Desert CITY plant has unique characteristics.

• Hassle-free returns

• Free Shipping on orders over €79.99

• Secure and protected payment guaranteed.