Adromischus marianae
Synonyms:
Adromischus marianae var. hallii
Habitat:
Adromischus marianae is widespread in a big area of South Africa, extended from Namibia to the Western Cape.
Description:
Adromischus marianae is a variable species, which means that it includes several subspecies, including Adromischus marianae var. immacolatus and Adromischus marianae var. herrei. Many of these subspecies are really wanted from collectors.
Adromischus marianae “herrei” is a densely-branched plant with thick, tuberous roots and lanceolate, warty, spotted, leaves. The color of the leaves depend on a lot of factors, including the season, the type of clone, and the growing conditions, and it can switch from green, to browny-red, to purple. Its branches are thin and shorts, grouped in a cluster, or rosette (as all the other plants of the genus Adromischus). Flowers are green with a red shade. Collectors’ form include variant with different degree of wartiness. This subspecies is native of a small part in the Western cape, around Maerport, her favorite habitats are the clefts in the granite hills.
Cultivation:
The tips of cultivation are really similar to the ones for all the species in the genus Adromischus. They prefer a bright spot, even if the Adromischus marianae “herrei” wants also some shade, so it’s better not to put her under direct light. Like the other Adromischus, it prefers a well-drained soil and can survive until a temperature of more ore less 5° C. Water it regularly in summer (once every two weeks) and less often in winter (once a month, more or less), leaving the soil dry.
Propagation:
Leaf cutting is the most used method. It consist in cutting a leaf with a sharp knife, leaving it dry for a couple of days, and then putting it in the soil and watering regularly until the developing of the new roots.
Curiosity:
The name ” Adromischus” comes from the ancient Greek adros (=thick) and mischos (=stem).
