Conophytum uviforme subs. subincanum Photo by: Giuseppe Distefano
Origin and Habitat: Van Rhynsdorp, Western cape, South-Africa.
Habitat: It grows in crevices on shale, limestone, quartz, granite, or sandstone often under shrubs. Other commonly associated plant species in the habitat include Bulbine margarethae and Ruschia turnerianaSN|29434]]SN|29434]].
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Conophytum uviforme
Description: Conophytum uviforme subs. subincanumSN|18837]]SN|18821]] is a small-sized variant of Conophytum uviformeSN|18821]]SN|18837]] distingushed for its tiny pale-grey to red-grey sparsely marked bodies. This is one of the finest form easily recognised by the smaller and more numerous bodies. It is one of the most popular species widely grown by collectors.
Habit: It is a dwarf perennial succulent, often forming fairly large mats or domes of tiny bodies.
Bodies (Paired leaves): Up to 12 mm tall and in diameter (usually less), globose to egg-like, apex sometimes slightly bilobed or truncate, glabrous, pale green, greyish-green, pinkish-grey, glaucous, brownish, or bronze, sparsely marked with dots more or less in lines on the top. In spring the colour of the old leaves fades, and they shrivel to a thin dry sheath that protects next season's growth during the summer resting phase.
Flowers: Solitary with a prominent perianth tube, petals white, beige or straw coloured, rarely pale pink or carmine. The stamen in a central column.
Blooming season: Autumn.
Fruit: 4-6-chambered.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Conophytum uviforme group
- Conophytum hillii L. Bolus: has grey-red body bodies. Distribution: Vosfontein, Western Cape, South Africa.
- Conophytum uviforme (Haw.) N.E.Br.: (subsp. uviforme) Leaves big, greyish-green to earth-coloured. Distribution: Northern Cape (Calvinia, Namaqualand), Western cape (Vanrhynsdorp, Vredendal).
- Conophytum uviforme subs. decoratum (N.E.Br.) S.A.Hammer: Leaves small marked with streaks and spots. Distribution: Northern Cape (Calvinia, Namaqualand), Western cape (Vanrhynsdorp).
- Conophytum uviforme subs. rauhii (Tischer) S.A.Hammer: Leaves small metallic and striate. Distribution: Namaqualand.
- Conophytum uviforme subs. subincanum (Tischer) S.A.Hammer: Leaves small sparsely marked. Distribution: Vanrhynsdorp.
Bibliography: Major refences and further lectures
1) Heidrun E. K. Hartmann (2001) “Aizoaceae A – E” Springer
2) Linda R. Berg “Introductory Botany: Plants, People, and the Environment” Cengage Learning, 02/Mar/2007
3) Steven A. Hammer “Dumpling and his wife: new views of the genus Conophytum” EAE Creative Colour Ltd., 2002
4) Dieter J. Von Willert “Life strategies of succulents in deserts: with special reference to the Namib desert” CUP Archive, 1992
5) Paul Keddy “Plants and Vegetation: Origins, Processes, Consequences” Cambridge University Press, 07/Jun/2007
6) George Willard Brown “Desert Biology: Special Topics on the Physical and Biological Aspects of Arid Regions” Volume 2 Academic Press, 01/Jun/1974
7) Roger Spencer “Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia.” Volume 2, Flowering Plants: “Dicotyledons. Part 1, the Identification of Garden and Cultivated Plants UNSW Press, 1995
8) Gard. Chron., ser. 3 72: 54 (1922)
9) Erhardt, W. et al. 2008. "Der große Zander: Enzyklopädie der Pflanzennamen."
10)Germishuizen, G. & N. L. Meyer, eds. 2003. "Plants of southern Africa: an annotated checklist." Strelitzia 14.
11) Huxley, A., ed. 1992. "The new Royal Horticultural Society dictionary of gardening." (as: uvaeforme)
12) S. M Walters “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: Casuarinaceae to Aristolochiaceae” Cambridge University Press, 1989
Conophytum uviforme subs. subincanum Photo by: Giuseppe Distefano 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: Conophytum uviforme subs. subincanumSN|18837]]SN|18821]] is a "winter" grower which is most active from late winter until later spring and heading for summer dormancy, but in favourable growing conditions it keeps going over the summer too and doesn't need particular care. All the forms of Conophytum uviformeSN|18821]]SN|18837]] have the advantage of extreme ease of growth.
Soil: 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.
Watering: It requires little water; otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Water minimally in summer, (only when the plant starts shrivelling), but it will generally grow even in summer if given water. Water regularly in winter after the previous year's leaves have dried up. Requires good drainage.
Fertilization: Feed it once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus 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.
Exposure: Keep cool and shaded in summer, it needs full sun or light shade.
Temperature: Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation.
Repotting: Avoid to repot frequently. This plant may stay in the same pot for many years.
Uses: Container, rock garden.
Pests and diseases: It is vulnerable to mealybugs and rarely scale.
Propagation: It can be reproduced both by cuttings and seeds. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant. Each cutting must contain one or more heads along with a fraction of root. It is easily propagated by seed. The small seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sand, any time during the spring and summer months when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a very fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the first 3-4 days cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shadecloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on mistings can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow.