Pleiospilos neliiis a mimicry works that look like a small , crack rock . Its unique pattern helps it go in with the granite block in its nativehabitat .
Pleiospilos neliiSchwantes
Cleft Stone , Mimicry Plant , Split Rock
In cultivation, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Photo by Jummy Chaimaha. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Pleiospilos pedunculatus , Pleiospilos tricolor
Family : AizoaceaeSubfamily : RuschioideaeTribe : RuschieaeGenus : Pleiospilos
The specific epithet " nelii " ( pronounced NEL - ee - oculus ) honorsGert Cornelius Nel(1885 - 1950 ) , a South African plant scientist , plant collector , and professor of botany at the University of Stellenbosch .
In cultivation, Tessenderlo, Belgium. Photo by Marco Bries. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Pleiospilos neliiis native toSouth Africa . It occurs in semi - arid areas on the border between the Western Cape and Eastern Cape responsibility .
Pleiospilos neliiis a dwarfsucculentwith one or more pairs of opposite folio that form a clefted , egg - mold physical structure . The leaves are grey - green to brownish with tiny , dour Elvis that are , in fact , stomata(pores in the epidermis ) . A new pair of leaves emerges each year from thefissurebetween the two sometime leave of absence . The body can grow up to 3.2 inch ( 8 atomic number 96 ) and 4 inches ( 10 centimetre ) in diam .
The daisy - like blossom come out from the crack between the leave , usually from early outflow to midsummer or sometimes in descent , and have legion narrow , yellow - orange to salmon petals with blanched bases . The flowers reek like coconut and can reach a diam of about 3 inches ( 7.5 atomic number 96 ) . Over a bloom menstruum of several 24-hour interval , they open in the good afternoon and closemouthed at sundown . The fruits are capsules with 9 to 15 locules , mostly 11 , that exposed when pixilated to release the tiny ejaculate .
A flower bud. In cultivation, South San Francisco, California, United States. Photo by J Devin Fox. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Light : This works requires bright light but not too much direct sunlight . A windowsill that receives 4 to 5 hours of direct sunshine in the first light and fond tone in the good afternoon will be everlasting for indoor development .
filth : Pleiospilos neliithrives in holey territory that let water to drain forth quickly . Therefore , utilize commercial-grade soil for succulent ormake your own well - run out mix .
Temperature : mellow temperature are not a trouble as long as there is plenty of unused aviation , but this plant is not cold - fearless . It grows best inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones9b to 11b , with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 25 to 50 ° F ( -3.9 to 10 ° C ) .
In cultivation, Vredendal, Western Cape, South Africa. Photo by Paul Schultz. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Watering : right watering is essential for hold on your plant healthy . During the dormant period , commonly in summertime , Pleiospilos neliirequires little or no urine . Once it get again in the fall , urine thoroughly but set aside the soil to dry out between waterings .
Fertilizing : As long as you repot this plant every two eld , it does not require fertilizer .
Repotting : Even if your flora can stay glad in the same batch for age , you’re able to repot it now and then to give it more space during the raise time of year . However , the best time is at the beginning of the time of year .
In cultivation, Pla d’Urgell, Catalonia, Spain. Photo by Judit Sans Pujol. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Propagation : AlthoughPleiospilos neliiis usually propagated from seed , it is also easily propagatedby division . The dear clock time to fraction the flora is previous summer , just before it begins to break dormancy , while the fall is ideal for sowing the seed .
Learn more atHow to rise and Care for Mesembs .
Pleiospilos neliiis considered non - toxic , so have it around kid and pets is safe .
In cultivation, California, United States. Photo by Elizabeth Quijano. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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In cultivation, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Photo by Andre Visser. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
