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Cheiridopsis
caroli-schmidtii
This species produces long lasting flowers in winter.
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Family: Mesebrianthemaceae (Aizoaceae)
Scientific name: Cheiridopsis
caroli-schmidtii (Dinter & A. Berger) N.E.Br.
In: Gard. Chron. Ser. 3,
79:497, 425. 1926
Habitat: Granite and
quartz outcrops.
Origin:
Namibia,
South Africa (Great Namaqualand)
Conservation status: Not
endangered.
Synonyms:
- Mesembryanthemum
caroli-schmidtii Dinter & A. Berger
In: Bot. Jahrb. Syst.
50(suppl.):587. 1914
Etymology: The genus name
"Cheiridopsis" comes from the Greek for "looking like a
hand".
The species was named after "Carl Schmidt", plant grower
and owner of the “Haage & Schmidt nursery” in Erfurt, Germany.
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Description: Cheiridopsis caroli-schmidtii is a small
leaf succulent, 5(-10) cm tall and 15-20 cm in diameter, it clumps
easily and forms a mound of withered leaves. Cheiridopsis are dormant in
summer. During that time they look kind of dry, or dying.
Stems: Stemless
or with a
very short stem.
Leaves: Up to 4 cm long, thick,
opposite, joined at the base, fleshy, three-angled and keeled, silvery
green with
conspicuous transparent dots
(translucent in backlight)
in group of two or three pairs, with the shorter drier outside pair
framing the larger younger inner pair.
Flowers: Chrome yellow, daisy-like,
solitary
and pedicellate about 3.5 cm in diameter and their size gradually
increases in the course of several days after blooming.
Blooming season:
Flowers from early winter to spring.
Fruit: The fruit is a multilocular capsule with awned wings,
membranes and large closing bodies.
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Cultivation:
The Cheiridopsis are easy to
grow. These plants grow in winter rain-areas and head for dormancy in
summer. Requires little water, otherwise its epidermis breaks
(resulting in unsightly scars). Regular water in autumn through to
spring. Water minimally in summer, only when the plant starts
shrivelling but it will generally grow even in summer if given water.
Requires good drainage. Keep cool and shaded in summer, needs full sun
or light shade. Hardy to -2°C (or less)
Propagation: Seeds,
cuttings.
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