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Dinteranthus vanzylii
It is chalky white to clear pastel or greyish with irregular red or brownish markings and dots similar to that of a lithops. Its sunken growth form is understood as a development parallel to that in Lithops.
 

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Origin:  Cape province, South Africa.

Habitat:  The grow in fine sand and gravel among quartz stones, in a very dry area with prevalent rain in March. They both in colour and shape, resemble the stones and pebbles found in their natural habitat. The form and colour of the Dinteranthus have developed in order to allow them to live in the harsh conditions of their natural environment where they are able to stand extended periods of drought.

Common English Names include: Stone plant, Green stone plant, Living stone.

Synonyms:

• Dinteranthus vanzylii  L.Bolus
  In: SAG 177, 1932
• Dinteranthus vanzylii  forma lineatus H. Jacobsen
  In: Jacobsen & Rowley 81, 1955
• Dinteranthus vanzylii  var. lineatus (H.Jacobsen) H. Jacobsen 1970

Etymology: The genus has been named after K. Dinter 1868-1945, German Government botanist working in Namibia 1897-1935.
The species has been named after Gert H. van Zijl Post Master at Pofadder, Northern cape. R.S.A.

Description: Dinteranthus vanzylii  is an intriguing solitary or clumping plant with attractive bodies and flowers that is very similar to Lithops in shape and colours but with no apparent dormant period. Its sunken growth form is understood as a development parallel to that in Lithops. The other species of Dinteranthus grows above ground.
Body: The body is formed by two succulent leaves almost fully united, up to 4 cm tall and is sunken in the ground for most of the leaf length. The leaf pair forming a cone or a funnel with the leaf tips broad, flat, but sometime with a thin horny keel near the fissure. It is chalky white to clear paste or greyish with irregular red or brownish markings and dots similar to that of a lithops. The intensity of marking varies greatly from plant to plant and comprises both completely chalky white plant without any marking and plant with distinct brown markings and lines.
Roots: Thickened tap-root.
Flower: Solitary, bright yellow to orange, 30 - 40 mm in diameter and bractless.
Fruit: The seed pod is 8 - 10 locular

The genus Dinteranthus is closely related to Lithops. They are a group of stemless succulents from the Cape Province in South Africa.

Cultivation: Dinteranthus vanzylii are summer growing species with dry rest period over winter but they do not shows an apparent dormant season like Lithops. Easy to grow they need a very open mineral, fast draining mix with little compost and a high degree of grit, coarse sand, small lava gravel or pebbles. Give them the maximum amount of light you are able to give them, but care should be taken about exposing them to the full blast of the sun rays in summer (The only exception to this is seedlings in their first year that enjoy a shades place) . Such tiny plants can easily get scorched or broiled and their appearance spoiled (this may not matter in the wild, where the Dinteranthus have probably shrunk into the ground and becomes covered with sands).
The basic cultivation routine is: Gives some water all year, more in Spring and again in autumn. Keep rather dry during coldest winter month and start watering regularly after the old leaves completely dry. (Usually late March or Early April) Water freely during the growing season, soak the compost fully but allow it to dry out between waterings. Some growers fertilize frequently, some hardly ever. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. If too much water is supplied the plants will grow out of character, bloat, split and rot. Keep them in small pots as solitary clumps or as colonies in large, shallow terracotta seed pans. When in doubt DON'T WATER. Where the resting season is in the winter and central heating gives very dry air in the home, give a light top spray once a week to simulate the desert dew and prevent excessive dehydration. Overwinter them preferably not below 5° C (but they endure some freeze if very dry).

Propagation: From seed (very small) or by dividing older clumps. Slow growing for a mesemb.

Remarks: The strange appearance of Dinteranthus have made them very popular in succulent collections. They are similar in habit to Lithops but grows above ground (only D. vanzily is partly subterranean like Lithops with the top of each leaf tip exposed above soil). They are also called mimicry plants as they show a striking similarity to their background rocks and are difficult to detect when not in flower. The Dinteranthus have a pebbly look and are commonly known as pebble plants or living stones; each species is associated with one particular type of rock formation and occurs nowhere else. This camouflage also reduces the need for chemical defences against herbivores.

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.