Accepted Scientific Name: Conophytum caroli Lavis
Notes Mesembryanthemum [H.M.L. Bolus] 2: 378. 1933 [19 May 1933] L. Bolus Notes: Namaqualand
Origin and Habitat: Calvinia, Northern Cape, South Africa.
Habitat: Grows in brownish quartz rubble.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Conophytum caroli
back
Accepted name in llifle Database:Conophytum caroli LavisNotes Mesembryanthemum [H.M.L. Bolus] 2: 378. 1933 [19 May 1933]Synonymy: 6
back
Description: Sparsely branched succulent that forms tiny mounds of purple or green grapes. It resembles a
merger of Conophytum caroliSN|22079]]SN|1216]] and Conophytum limpidumSN|1216]]SN|22079]] and is highly variable in shape and colour.
Body (paired leaves): Leaves up to 35 mm long, 25 mm in diameter, soft to the touch, half-fused, apex convex to truncate, yellowish-green to brown, ?nely papillate, windowed translucent and shining at the apex.
Flower: Petals pink to white. Its ?owers have the least pronounced tubular bulges of any members of the Derenbergia-Ophthalmophyllum section.
Fruit: The fruit is a 5-6-locular capsule.
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|22668]]SN|14643]], Conophytum limpidumSN|22079]]SN|22079]], the slightly fuzzy Conophytum pubescensSN|14643]]SN|22668]], and the clump forming Conophytum praesectum.
Cultivation and Propagation: They are relatively easy to grow. These plants grow on winter rain and head for summer dormancy. The growing season in northern hemisphere is from September to March. They require little water; otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Water minimally in summer, (only occasional misting when the plants start shrivelling), but they will generally grow even in summer if given water. Water regularly in winter after the previous year's leaves have dried up. Require good drainage. They enjoy full sun or half-shade and in summer they need to be kept in a cool area. Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation. Avoid to repot frequently. 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.
Propagation: They 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.
