Adromischus triflorus
Habitat:
It’s mainly found in the Cape province, in south-western Karoo (a semidesert in South Africa), and from near Worcester to Willowmore and Mossel Bay, in little Karoo. It commonly grows in the lower slopes, in gravelly soils.
Description:
It is a perennial with little branches stems grouped in a dense rosette, and fibrous roots. It finally becomes a small shrub. Leaves are ob-triangular, heart shaped, crested at the apex, light green to brown orange, with a red margin on the broadest, apical part. Red spots are occasionally present upon the leaf, mainly restricted on the upper half. The inflorescence is a grey-green thyrse ( a cluster-like inflorescence). Flowers are yellowish-green, almost white sometimes, 1 centimeters long. The flowering period is from November to January.
Cultivation:
This plant doesn’t like too much sun. It prefers bright positions, but not under direct sun light. It’s drought tolerant, so water it more or less twice a month in spring and summer, its growth season, and once a month in winter. It can survive at a minimum temperature of 5ºC. It requires well drained soils to imitate the gravelly slopes which are its natural habitat.
Propagation:
The best method to propagate it is leaf cutting, which consist in putting a leaf, cut using a sharp knife, in soil, and wait until it has put roots.
Curiosity:
The name ” Adromischus” comes from the ancient Greek adros (=thick) and mischos (=stem).