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Lithops  terricolor C132A cv. SILVER SPUR
(Syn: Lithops localis "SILVER SPUR")
CACTUS ART
NURSERY

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Lithops terricolor C132A cv. SILVER SPUR is a white flowering mutant.
 

Description: L. terricolor is generally smaller than most Lithops but its shape follows the same pattern of a cordate (heart-shaped), bifurcate body of two leaves, cleft nearly to the base and showing a pattern of channels, islands and windows on the top face. The patterns of colour and dots on the face is  more or less regular within certain ranges of similarity.
This cultivar has
uncommon pure white bloom.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Lithops terricolor:

Remarks: Lithops are partly subterranean, with only the clear 'window' in each leaf tip exposed above soil. A type of optical system exists whereby a layer of apical tissue rich in calcium oxalate crystals acts as a filter to intense sunlight before it reaches the thin chlorophyllous layer below. 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. These are the commonly known as pebble plants or living stones; each species is associated with one particular type of rock formation and occurs nowhere else. Its soil-embedded, subterranean growth form also reduces the need for chemical defences against herbivores.

Cultivation: Need an open mineral, fast draining mix and the maximum amount of light you are able to give them. The basic cultivation routine is: Stop watering after flowering. Start watering 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, no water when cold. Some growers fertilize frequently, some hardly ever. Keep them dry during the winter. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. This plant is best for a well lit area (Bright shade to full sun).

Note:
After flowering in the autumn and extending through winter season the plant doesn’t need watering, but they will still be growing, the new bodies will be increasing in size extracting water from the outer succulent leaves, allowing them to shrivel away.  In fact the plant in this time extracts water and nutrient stored in the outer succulent leaves, allowing them to dehydrate relocating the water  to the rest of the plant and to the new leaves that form during this period until the old leaves are reduced to nothing more than "thin papery shells".

 


Photo gallery: Alphabetical listing of Cactus and Succulent pictures published in this site.

Photo gallery LITHOPS


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Family: Mesebrianthemaceae (Aizoaceae)

Scientific name:  Lithops terricolor N.E. Br. (1922)

Taxonomic Synonyms:

  • Lithops localis (N.E.Br.) Schwantes 1938
  • Mesembryanthemum locale N.E.Brown 1920
  • Lithops peersii L.Bolus 1929
  • Lithops localis (N.E.Br.) Schwantes var. peersii (L.Bolus) DeBoer & Boom. 1961

Vernacular Names: Living Stones, Cleft Stones, Living Rocks, Split Rocks, stone plant

Origin: Garden origin (Nursery selected cultivar)
 

 



The flowers are pure white.

Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

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.