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  Conophytum christiansenianum
(Syn: Conophyum bilobum)
 
CACTUS ART
NURSERY

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C. christiansenianum  is blue-green plants with two lobes and large yellow flowers.
It is among the easiest species to grow.
 

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Family: Mesebrianthemaceae (Aizoaceae)

Scientific name:  Conophytum christiansenianum L.Bolus

BILOBA GROUP

Origin:  Namaqualand.

Habitat:  Growing in a well drained soil with some water in winter and some sun.

Synonyms:

  • Mesembryanthemum bilobum Marloth 1907
  • Conophytum bilobum 'christiansenianum'
Description:  C. christiansenianum is a robust caespitose plant, stemless or short stems develop with time.
Size: Thickness: 3 centimetres Height: 7 centimetres
Profile: The leaf-tips (lobes) are free and are 10-40 mm long and triangular in shape and keeled
Colours: The margins are green to red or deep purple in colour. The epidermis is slightly velvety, it is whitish-green to glaucous-blue green 
Flower: Scentless up to 3 cm (The largest of the genus)
Blooming season: The flowers are autumnal (rarely in summer) and diurnal.

NOTE: This plant is one of the innumerable form of Conophytum bilobum which is one of the most widespread and morphologically variable taxon.
 

 




Conophytum christiansenianum is now considered to be a synonym for C. bilobum ssp bilobum. Whatever its taxonomy, this plant from provides a lovely splash of colour when it is covered by its yellow flowers.

Cultivation: C. christiansenianum is easy to grow. These plants grow on winter rain and head for summer dormancy. They require little water; otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars).  Water minimally in summer, (only when the plant starts shrivelling), but it will generally grow even in summer if given water.  Water regularly in winter after the previous year's leaves have dried up. Requires good drainage.  Keep cool and shaded in summer, it needs full sun or light shade. Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation. Avoid to repot frequently. This plant may stay in the same pot for many years.
Propagation:
It can be reproduced both by cuttings and seeds. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant.  Each cutting must contain one or more heads along with a fraction of root.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of to the Conophytum bilobum complex (This Taxon has lots of synonyms ( like many other Conophytum) whit several controversial varieties and subspecies and comprises a multitude of different forms, but where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate characteristics):

Photo gallery: Alphabetical listing of Cactus and Succulent pictures published in this site.

Photo gallery CONOPHYTUM

Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Succulents. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.