Origin and Habitat: South Africa (Cape province)

• Faucaria bosscheana (A.Berger) Schwantes
• Mesembryanthemum bosscheanum A.Berger

• Faucaria bosscheana (A.Berger) Schwantes
• Mesembryanthemum bosscheanum A.Berger
• Faucaria albidens N.E.Br.
• Faucaria bosscheana var. haagei (Tischer) H.Jacobsen
• Faucaria haagei Tischer
• Faucaria kendrewensis L. Bolus
• Faucaria paucidens N.E.Br.
• Faucaria peersii L. Bolus

Description: Faucaria bosscheanaSN|17876]]SN|17876]] is somewhat different from the other members of this genus as it has smaller, narrower, unmarked leaves with only 1 to 3 pairs of teeth. This species is quite variable and the shape of the leaves varies slightly in plant from different provenance. As with many other Faucaria species, several varieties have been described on the basis of variation of the leaves, the status of these uncertain.
Leaves: Glossy green, canoe-shaped in outline (broadly rhomboid or lanceolate ) about 3-4 cm long, 0,5-10 mm wide, the margins are horny-white and armed with 2-3 long teeth. Tubercles absent from upper leaf-surface.
Flowers: Large yellow. It often flowers when two years old.

Bibliography: Major references and futher lectures
1) Heidrun E. K. Hartmann "Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae F-Z" Springer, 2002
2) Ernst Van Jaarsveld, Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Gideon Smith "Succulents of South Africa: A Guide to the Regional Diversity" Tafelberg Publishers, Limited, 01/lug/2000
3) Gordon D. Rowleyna anteriore "The illustrated encyclopedia of succulents" Crown Publishers, 01/ago/1978
4) Werner Rauh "The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti" Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984

Cultivation and Propagation: Faucarias are la good choice for anyone wanting to start growing succulents. They are quite hardy and can take a short period of light frost and in very dry warm regions these succulents make very impressive out door ground covers. They need full sun to light shade with a well-drained soil mix, but can tolerate a wide variety of soil types and growing locations as long as there is plenty of sun. The plants are well watered during the growing season and allowed to dry thoroughly before watering again and will tolerate some over watering, but the challenge is to help them keep their compact form and prevent elongation of the stem. During the winter months, the plants should be kept very dry, only watering enough to keep the leaves from shrivelling.
As house plants they tend to grow in fair weather and rest when temperatures are too hot or too cool.
Propagation: Faucaria is very easy to start from seed. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21°C. Although they will start from cuttings, it is quite difficult to get them to root. If they start to rot there is usually part of the plant that can be removed and possibly rooted.