= Conophytum friedrichiae var. triebneri (Schwantes)
[as: Ophthalmophyllum triebneri Schwantes ex H.Jacobsen 1935]
Accepted Scientific Name: Conophytum friedrichiae (Dinter) Schwantes
Z. Sukkulentenk. iii. 22 (1927)
Conophytum triebneri (Conophytum friedrichiae var. triebneri) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: Northern Cape Province, Southern Namibia
Habitat: It grows on quartz slopes and on sheer faces, usually half shaded. Its soil-embedded, subterranean growth form reduces the need for chemical defences against herbivores.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Conophytum friedrichiae
back
Accepted name in llifle Database:Conophytum friedrichiae (Dinter) SchwantesZ. Sukkulentenk. iii. 22 (1927)Synonymy: 13
back
Description: Tiny groundcover succulent similar to a Lithops but with shiny big spotted purple-grey eyes. Good clumper.
Bodies (paired leaves): Up to 20-25 mm large, 8 mm tall (more in cultivation) , soft to the touch, nice, very smooth, glabrous, grey-purple brownish-purple with many aquamarine dots around border, glassy and strongly windowed transparent at the tips.. Surface tinged bright pink. This species is however variable in shape and colour.
Flowers: Usually pinkish but also reddish mauve or pure white, up to 3 cm in diameter.
Blooming season: Autumn.
Fruits: 5-6 locular.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Conophytum friedrichiae group
Notes: Conophytum/Ophtalmophyllum:
These plants forms a group within the large genus Conophytum and for a long time they was considered a separate genus, Ophthalmophyllum. Generally the Ophthalmophyllums look like they are formed from glass, ranging in colour from coke-bottle green to brown, to quite reddish. Some of these plants remain solitary, others clump quite readily; some are touchy in cultivation, some grow easily. They all resemble each other and are easy to recognize as a group. They include species such as Conophytum friedrichiaeSN|28071]]SN|14643]], Conophytum limpidumSN|22668]]SN|22079]], the slightly fuzzy Conophytum pubescensSN|22079]]SN|22668]], and the clump forming Conophytum praesectumSN|14643]]SN|28071]].
Conophytum triebneri (Conophytum friedrichiae var. triebneri) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Conophytum triebneri (Conophytum friedrichiae var. triebneri) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Conophytum triebneri (Conophytum friedrichiae var. triebneri) Photo by: Cactus Art Conophytum triebneri (Conophytum friedrichiae var. triebneri) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Conophytum triebneri (Conophytum friedrichiae var. triebneri) Photo by: Cactus Art Conophytum triebneri (Conophytum friedrichiae var. triebneri) Photo by: Cactus Art Conophytum triebneri (Conophytum friedrichiae var. triebneri) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Conophytum triebneri (Conophytum friedrichiae var. triebneri) Photo by: Cactus Art Cultivation and Propagation: The Conophytums belonging to the Ophthalmophyllum group are some of the world's most fascinating plants and are sought by the collector of succulent plants. They grow on winter rain and heads for summer dormancy. They are notoriously difficult to grow because they rot very easily. Paying attention to the particular growing requirement of Ophthalmophyllum is especially important. If you provide the Ophthalmophyllum with the right conditions, they will reward you with their unique shape, size, colour and a proliferation of blooms in autumn. However, Ophthalmophyllum are tricky plants that are very particular about their growing conditions and require the right maintenance in order to keep happy. But don't be afraid even the best growers have plants that mysteriously dry up, or leave during the night. While Ophthalmophyllum are picky about their care, if you are patient and remember the basics, your efforts will be rewarded. Being small plants, a representative collection can be grown on a patio table, a sunny windowsill or a shelf in the greenhouse.
The growing season in northern hemisphere is from September to March.
Soil: It grows best in sandy-gritty soil and requires good drainage as it it is prone to root rot. It can grows outdoor in sunny, dry, rock crevices (protection against winter wet is required) It can also be cultivated in alpine house, in poor, drained soil.
Repotting: Repotting every year is not recommended. They may stay in the same pot for many years. Plants grown in larger containers have frequently relatively poor flowers. They might improve when the plants are given their own, small individual pots.
Fertilization: Feed it once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (poor in nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. It thrives in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Watering: The Ophthalmophyllum thrive in dry and desert regions and are able to stand extended periods of drought and require careful watering. Water minimally in summer, (only occasional misting), water more abundantly after the previous year's leaves have dried up when they are growing in the autumn and spring, but let the soil dry between soaking. Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). If grown in a container, bottom watering by immersing the container is recommended. Ensure a very good ventilation.
Light: It enjoy some shade (avoid direct sun as it grows wild among rocks and under the shade of other plants) and in summer it need to be kept in a cool area.
Hardiness: It prefer a very bright situation and require a minimum temperature 5°C (But will take a light frost and is hardy down to -7° C for short periods if it is in dry soil). USDA zones 9A – 11.
Uses: Container, rock garden.
Pests and diseases: It is vulnerable to mealybugs and rarely scale.
Propagation: It can be reproduced both by seed in autumn or (or rarely) cuttings. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant. Each cutting must contain one or more heads along with a fraction of root and permit to dry out a couple of days, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward. It is relatively difficult to root Ophthalmophyllum from cuttings and generally pointless as well, so quick are they from seed.
Your Photos
by Valentino Vallicelli