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Conophytum blandum
 

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Scientific name:  Conophytum blandum L. Bolus
Notes Mesembryanthemum [H.M.L. Bolus] 3: 88. 1937 [12 Aug 1937]

Origin: Richtersveld North, North Cape South Africa. Altitude 940-1347m. Typical habitat South East Steinkopf.

Habitat:  Grows on quartz ridges in crevices in a well drained soil with some water in winter and some sun.
 

Description: Conophytum blandum is a small but robust caespitose (groundcover) plant, stemless or with short stems with time.
Bodies (paired leaves): Thickness: 2 centimetres Height: 4 centimetres. Profile: The leaves have a low degree of basal fusion, The free leaf-tips (lobes) are about 10 mm long and triangular in shape, keeled and apiculated. Colours: The margins are green to red or deep purple in colour. The epidermis is whitish-green to glaucous to deep blue green or brownish pink in colour. The epidermis could be spotted or completey smooth.
Flowers: Large, white to light violet, changing to rose.
Blooming season: The flowers are autumnal (rarely in summer) and diurnal.
Remarks: C. blandum is related to Conophytum herreanthus. There is a similitude in leaves shape rather than in flowers appearance. The leaves of C. blandum are indeed smaller than those of Conophytum herreanthus.
 

Cultivation: C. blandum 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.

CONOPHYTUMS: Plants of the genus Conophytum are also known as 'living pebbles'. During the rest period (the summer months in Europe) a new body forms inside the old, gradually taking all the substances from it until all that remains is the skin, which dries and protects the young plant from the heat of the sun and excess evaporation of water. The resting Conophytum protected by this dry cover resembles a pebble and hence the name 'living pebble'. The growth period of most species is from August to March. The temperature should be about 10 to 12°C

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.