Adromischus sphenophyllus

Synonyms:

Adromischus rhombifolius var. bakeri

Habitat:

This species is widespread in the eastern Cape Province, where is the most common Adromischus. It can be found usually growing between the dry vegetation of the Karoo, a semidesert area of South Africa but occasionally also in rocky outcrops in less dry areas.

Description:

This plant has a little branched stem and fibrous roots. Its leaves are grey-green, from rounded to mucronate (“mucronate” is a botanical term which is mainly used to described leaves with a pointy apex). Often, close to the margin, they have red-purple blurs. The margin forms a straight line from broadest point at the apex towards the thin base. In botany, this shape of a leaf is called “lanceolate”. The flowering period of Adromischus sphenophyllus is in December and January. The flowers are really small (0,9-11 centimeters long), and they are grey tinged red. They are grouped in the typical spike-like inflorescence of the Adromischus.

Cultivation:

For the plant belonging to the genus Adromischus, tips for cultivation are more or less the same: keep it in a well-drained soil, in a bright or partially shaded position. This plants can also bear cold temperatures, but never below 5ºC. In winter, water it seldom: more or less once a month, so it can resist better to cold temperatures. In spring and summer, water it more often, more or less twice a month.

Propagation:

Leaf cutting is the best way to propagate it. Cut a leaf with a sharp knife, put it in soil and wait until new root have formed. This generally happens when the leaf dries up.

Curiosity:

The name ” Adromischus” comes from the ancient Greek adros (=thick) and mischos (=stem).