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Gibbaeum shandii Kareevlakte .
The flowers can be white or pink/violet, they open in winter
and last for a long time.
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Family: Mesebrianthemaceae (Aizoaceae)
Scientific name: Gibbaeum
shandii N.E.Br.
Publication : in Gard. Chron.,
Ser. III. Lxxii. 129. 1922
Origin: Swelledam, West
Cape, South Africa.
Habitat & ecology:
Grows on quartzite slopes where it
forms conspicuous clumps. It recal plants of the genus Argyroderma and
like them, also favour quartz fields. The similar growth form are almost
certainly the result of their similar lifestyles. The occurrence of
white plants on white quartz-strewn ground is often quoted as a mode of
concealment.
Synonyms:
- Mesebrianthemum shandii
N.E.Br. nomen nudum
in Gard. Chron., 151. 1921.
- Gibbaeum pubescens
(HAW.) NE BR.
In: Fast nat. Gr. Abb. 1144
- Gibbaeum pubescens
subsp. shandii ( N.E.Br.) H.F. Glen
NOTE: Various species of the genus
Gibbaeum are called in Afrikaans, ‘Haaibekkie’. In English this
means ‘beak of a shark’. This very apt name is derived from the
shape of the two leaves that together form the plant growth. They differ
in size and because these leaves grow closely together the fissure of
most species looks exactly like the beak of a shark, though without the
teeth of course.
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Description: G. shandii is a dwarf,
perennial, anisophylous, cushion
forming succulent. Its body resembles a shark's head. formed by 1 long
finger-shaped leaf & 1 shorter leaf. It a low winter growing species,
although it will grow taller in cultivation than it does in the wild.
Up to 5 cm tall and 10 (or more) cm wide.
Stem: Short, woody with remains of old leaves.
Leaves: Fleshy, dark green to
green-brown or silvery/grey, paired
and resembling a shark's head, the longer leaves finger-shaped keeled,
the shorter appressed with a neat cut margin
visible close to the the longer leaf. Every year a few new leaves grow
from the central stem. The epidermis is covered by characteristic
minuscule stellate hairs that give it a silver/velvety appearance.
Flowers: Daisy-like, striking
purple or pink and long lasting.
Filamentous staminodes white.
Fruit: 6 loculed capsules. Stalk terete, bottom part funnel
shaped with a conical tip.
Blooming season: Winter.
Note:
Some authors synonymize this taxon with the similar G. pubescens,
but it differs slightly for its stellate hairs and the conical tops of
the capsules.
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Cultivation: Gibbaeums are "winter" growers heading
for summer dormancy and notoriously difficult to grow because they rot
very easily, but G. shandii is not difficult at all in
cultivation, keeps going over the summer too and don’t’ need particular
care . Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting
in unsightly scars). Water minimally in summer, only when the plant
starts shrivelling, water more abundantly when they are growing in the
fall and spring. Requires good drainage. Keep cool and shaded in summer,
need full sun or light shade. They will take a light frost (Hardy to
-5°C) if they are in dry soil.
Propagation: Seeds,
cuttings.
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