Accepted Scientific Name: Gibbaeum pilosulum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br.
Gard. Chron. 1926, Ser. III. lxxix. 234.
Conophytum pilosulum (Gibbaeum pilosulum) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: South Africa. The species grows near Touwbergiä 400 - 580 meters above sea level.
Synonyms:
Description: It is a small, compact, clump-forming, low succulent plant that grows about 3 cm in height. It will forms mats with time.
Body (Paired leaves): 10-25 mm in diameter, inverse-egg-shaped characterized by pairs of leaves about the some sizes or sometimes slightly different, semi-glossy, and bright green with sparse white hairs. The split of the two leaves is somewhat lateral.
Flowers: 6-18 mm in diameter pink to mauvish-red, Stigmas 7.
Blooming season: January-March.
Remarks: Differs from similar Gibbaeum cryptopodiumSN|22704]]SN|22704]] in the leaves covered by long, fine, white hairs.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Heidrun E. K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae F-Z” Springer, 2002
2) Gert C. Nel “The Gibbaeum Handbook, a Genus of Highly Succulent Plants, Native to South Africa” Blandford Press, 1953
3) Hermann Jacobsen “A handbook of succulent plants: descriptions, synonyms, and cultural details for succulents other than Cactaceae, Volume 1” Blandford Press, 1960
4)Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
5) Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. "Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa." Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
6) Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. "Red data list of southern African plants." Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
7) Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. "Plants of the Klein Karoo." Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
Hondewater, Little Karoo, South Africa (MG 1514.62) (Gibbaeum pilosulum) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Conophytum pilosulum (Gibbaeum pilosulum) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Conophytum pilosulum (Gibbaeum pilosulum) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Hondewater, Little Karoo, South Africa (MG 1514.62) (Gibbaeum pilosulum) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Conophytum pilosulum (Gibbaeum pilosulum) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Send a photo of this plant.The gallery now contains thousands of pictures, however it is possible to do even more. We are, of course, seeking photos of species not yet shown in the gallery but not only that, we are also looking for better pictures than those already present.
Read More... Cultivation and Propagation: Gibbaeums are "winter" grower which are most active from late winter until later spring and heading for summer dormancy. They are notoriously difficult to grow because they rot very easily.
Soil: Requires good drainage as it it is prone to root rot.
Fertilization: they thrives in poor soils ans seems very sensitive to an excess of potassium.
Watering: Water minimally in summer, only when the plant starts shrivelling, water more abundantly when they are growing in the autumn and spring. Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars).
Light: They need a bright sunny or light shade exposure in winter, but keep cool and shaded in summer.
Hardiness: They prefer a very bright and arid situation and will take a light frost (Hardy to -5°C) if they are in dry soil. USDA zones 9A – 11.
Uses: Container, rock garden.
Propagation: Seeds, cuttings. It is difficult to root gibbaeums from cuttings and generally pointless as well, so quick are they from seed. They are easily propagated by seed. asily propagated by seed.