Origin and Habitat: Conophytum ectypumSN|25993]]SN|25993]] is widely distributed in Namaqualand, Northern Cape, SouthAfrica.
Habitat: It grows on outcrops or shaded crevices of quartz or granite. The Conophytum ectypumSN|25993]]SN|25993]] has adapted to survive the long and dry summers of the Namaqualand desert. Namaqualand experiences reliable and widespread gentle rains only in winter. Their hard appearance creates an effective camouflage amongst the quartz stone fields where they are found and matches well with the mounds of sand in the background. These white quartz fields are ideal habitats for dwarf succulents (e.g. Lithops juliiSN|13037]]SN|13037]]) and beautiful bulbs.

• Conophytum ectypum N.E.Br.

• Conophytum ectypum N.E.Br.
• Conophytum chloratum Tischer
• Conophytum ectypum var. limbatum (N.E.Br.) Tischer
• Conophytum limbatum N.E.Br.
• Conophytum ectypum var. tischleri (Schwantes) Tischer
• Conophytum tischleri Schwantes ex H.Jacobsen

• Conophytum ectypum subs. brownii (Tischer) S.A.Hammer
• Conophytum brownii Tischer
• Conophytum ectypum var. brownii (Tischer) Tischer
• Conophytum virens L. Bolus

• Conophytum ectypum subs. sulcatum (L. Bolus) S.A.Hammer
• Conophytum sulcatum L. Bolus

• Conophytum ectypum cv. Mabel's fire

Description: Conophytum ectypumSN|22603]]SN|25993]] (subsp. ectypum) is a widely distributed, variable small species. Three subspecies are distinguished: the nominate, subs. cruciatum and subs. sulcatum. The subsp. ectypum comprises two varieties: v. brownii and v. ectypum.
Habit: It is very freely dividing species forming a tight mat-like cluster, but when allowed to form these clumps the individual bodies become progressively smaller.
Bodies (paired leaves): 85-10(-25) mm tall, 4-6(-10) mm in diameter, wholly fused (with a very small fissure), cylindrical or hatched-shaped (inverse-cone-shaped), with a truncate or convex apex, rather soft, often keeled and enclosed in firm papery sheaths, greyish-green to purple, upper surface smooth, with a prominent line around the fissure, variably striate, striations not strongly reddened with ridges or raised dark green dots and sides of bodies not or only subtly sulcate .
Flowers: 8-10 mm in diameter opening in the morning. Highly variable in colour mostly pale pink to purple, rarely yellow or white. Anthers exerted.
Fruit: 4-6-locular hygrochastic capsules.
Similar species: Conophytum ectypumSN|18625]]SN|25993]] is very variable and intergrades with neighbouring species, some forms from northwest of Steinkopf at Umdaus, tend to lack striations and have the finely knobbled leaf surface of Conophytum obscurumSN|26044]]SN|26044]] ssp. vitreopapillum, other southern forms resemble Conophytum tantillumSN|25993]]SN|18625]] and other are convergent with Conophytum angelicaeSN|25993]]SN|22603]].

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Gordon D. Rowley “The illustrated encyclopedia of succulents” Crown Publishers, 01/Aug/1978
2) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
3) Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. “Red List of South African Plants.” Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
4) Hammer, S. 1993. “The Genus Conophytum - A Conograph.” Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
5) Hammer, S. 2002. “Dumpling and His Wife: New Views of the Genus Conophytum.” East Anglia Engraving Creative Colour Ltd, Norwich, England.
6) 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
7) Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer, 2002
8) Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
9) Hermann Jacobsen “Lexicon of Succulent Plants” Littlehampton Book Services Ltd. 1974

Cultivation and Propagation: Conophytum ectypumSN|25993]]SN|25993]] is a "winter" grower which is most active from late winter until later spring and heading for summer dormancy.
Soil: Best in pots. 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.