Adromischus umbraticola
Habitat:
Its habitat are the rocky outcrops of South Africa.
Description:
It’s a perennials with a tuberous, very branched base, and fibrous roots. Leaves are oblanceolated (this is a botanical term used when the shape of a leaf reminds a spear), restricted towards the base, pale green, sometimes with dark spots. the inflorescence is a thyrse (the botanical term for “cluster”), which develops on a 20-35 centimeters long stem, with tiny green tinged pink flowers, 1-1.3 centimeters long.
Cultivation:
It prefers shaded positions, and no water in winter. It’s better to put it indoor, so it’s easier to protect it from the winter rains. In spring and summer, its growth season, you can water it twice a month. In winter, just once a month especially if you keep it indoor: the excessive lack of water can cause a loss of leaves. Its minimum survival temperature is 5ºC. The soil has to be well-drained, as it is in its natural environment.
Propagation:
Leaf cutting is the best technique to propagate this species. The method consists in cutting a leaf with a sharp knife and put it in the soil. In little time the leaf will put new roots and generate a new plant.
Curiosity:
The name ” Adromischus” comes from the ancient Greek adros (=thick) and mischos (=stem).
