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.

Conophytum meyerae SB787 Swartpoort, S.Africa
This is  one of the largest and robust forms among the “bilobum” that branches from the base forming small cushion.
 

Advertising

Conophytum meyerae Schwantes
In: Gartenwelt 33:25. 1929

Accepted Scientific name:  Conophytum bilobum ssp. bilobum, (Marloth) Nicholas Edward Brown 1922

BILOBA GROUP

Section: Cordiformia schwant.
Sub-section:  Eubilola Tisch.

Origin:  It  is found in the western part of South Africa (Little Namaqualand)

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

Synonyms:

• Mesembryanthemum bilobum Marloth 1907
• Conophytum bilobum "meyerae"
• Conophytum bilobum ssp bilobum meyerae (Marloth) N E Brown 1922

NOTE: Nowadays C. meyerae is considered nothing else than a form of C. bilobum which is one of the most morphologically variable taxon of the genus. 
Description: This is  one of the largest and robust forms among the “bilobum” that branches from the base forming small cushion.
Stem: Stemless or with short stems with time.
Size: Thickness: up to 4 cm centimetres Height: up to 6 centimetres.
Profile: The leaf-tips are heart-shaped and  keeled. The lobes are free  10 to 25 mm long, with the inner side flat.
Colours: The margins are green to red or deep purple in colour. The epidermis is glabrous (smooth), whitish-green, tender-green to glaucous-green in colour not spotted or with few darker points.
Flower: Scentless up to 3 cm (The largest of the genus) yellow and their size gradually increases in the course of several days after blooming.
Blooming season: The flowers are autumnal (rarely in summer) and diurnal.
 

Cultivation: C. meyerae 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

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):

• Conophytum bilobum
• Conophytum chrystiansenianum (C. bilobum)
• Conophytum cordatum (C. bilobum)

   

   

  

  

   

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.