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Rabiea lesliei
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Rabiea is a strongly hardy plant recommended
for beginners, can grow outdoor in the rock garden and tolerates severe
frost in winter. |
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Family: Mesebrianthemaceae (Aizoaceae)
Scientific name: Rabiea lesliei
N.E.Br. & N.E.Br. 1930
Origin: Chocolan and nearest district of Orange Free
State. , South Africa.
Typical locality: Hills between Westminster & Chocolan,
Habitat: Grows scattered in dry grassland
slopes among big stones. Altitude range 1600-1880 m.
Ecology: The mechanism of
seed dispersal is through a higrochastic fruit and the seed is only
dispersed in the immediate environment, which results in local small
communities.
Synonyms:
Etymology: The genus "Rabiea" has been named in
honour of the Rev. WA Rabie, Orange Free State, south Africa.
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Description: Small
multi-branched succulent up to 5 cm tall that forms compact tuft.
Stem: Almost stemless.
Roors: Deep, thick and fleshy. In the younger specimen is present
only a central tap-root while the older plants will develop a thick,
conspicuous, rhizome or rootstock.
Leaves: About 20-25 (or more long in cultivation) mm long 6-9 mm
large, 6-8 mm broad. Erect and unequal with one leaf tapering toward the
tip and the other enlarging at the keel near the tip. The epidermis is
rough with numerous dots.
Flowers: 25-30 cm across bright yellow fading orange as they
older, petals numerous (up to 60) filaments up to 220, anthers yellow.
Blooming season: Opening in the afternoon mainly from late winter
through spring but it may flowers occasionally all year round.
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Cultivation: Rabiea are easy and
rewarding plants
than can be grown in pots or in the rock-garden. They can be watered
year-round, water regularly from spring to Autumn but reduce watering
frequency in winter, growth period is early Spring to late Summer, but
is a very adaptable species that can grows opportunistically whenever
the water availability and growing condition are favourable. Keep them
cool, and half-shaded in summer, need full sun or light shade on the
other seasons. Potted rabieas look best in a heavy soil and the same is
true for plants in a rockery. Requires good drainage.
Frost Tolerance: Very frost hardy and grows best where there are cold
winters (it is reported to be hardy to at least -18° C if very dry). It
is difficult to keep the leaves free of scars and dead leaf-tips, but
the abundant flowers hide them.
Propagation: Cuttings or (rarely) seeds
Remarks: Rabiea has
a gorgeous, thick root system and when it is potted up, the plant can be
progressively raised over the ground so that some of the roots can be
seen and is especially cultivated for their looks. Architecturally it is
a real stunner. When the "caudex" shape of the raised roots is
adequately in evidence this plant is incomparable. They also tend to
grow more "heads" when they are raised.
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