Botanical Name |
Titanopsis calcarea |
Other names |
Sheep's tongue, jewel plant, living stone, skilpadvoetjie (Afrikaans), kalkvygie (Afrikaans) |
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Mesembrianthemaceae, formerly Aizoaceae |
Dimensions |
A small and low succulent, growing in clumps of basal rosettes of around 8 cm in diameter, usually under 10cm; from the name: 'looking like limestone', blending with its typical environment of small rocks and sandy earth; described as living rocks |
Description of Stem |
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Description of Leaves |
Grey-green leaves of up to 2,5cm with irregular to round, wart-like patches or tubercles at each broad, truncate leaf apex, varying in colour from whitish, beige, red or grey, varying according to the geographic area where it is found |
Description of flowers |
Yellow mesem-type flowers of nearly 2cm in diameter; the inner flower part characteristically erect |
Description of seed/fruit |
Persistent star-shaped capsule, cracking open in a characteristic pattern |
Description of roots |
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Variation |
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Propagation and Cultivation |
Grown from seed or by dividing clumps, as potted plants on window sills or in dry gardens; low watering, a little more in winter, the plant's growing season; grows in full sun apart from the height of summer, when some shade is beneficial |
Tolerances |
Heat and cold tolerant; will grow in varying soil acidity |
Uses |
The most commonly cultivated garden plant of the genus; |
Ecological rarity |
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Pests and Diseases |
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Other |
A variation with irregular looking flowers exists |
Location |
Dry, semi-desert and Karoid type open veld in full or much sun of varying acidity |
Distribution |
Northern Cape |
Country |
South Africa |