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- Cotyledon orbiculata var. flanaganii cristata
Cotyledon orbiculata var. flanaganii cristata
Place in full sun or partial shade.
Water regularly, always a few days after the substrate has dried out. Reduce watering in winter.
It likes room temperatures, and can withstand temperatures around 0 °C for short periods. However, the plant is not hardy.
This is the crested form of Cotyledon orbiculata var. flanaganii. It is characterised by smaller and more variable leaves than the classic form.
This morphological variant of Cotyledon orbiculata is the cristate form of this plant. The original form is native to the lower Kei River in the Eastern Cape Province and grows on gravel slopes in scrub vegetation. In its homeland it is valued in folk medicine and is used to heal warts, corns, ulcers, inflammations and even ear diseases. The warmed juice of the leaves is used as drops for toothache or earache and to treat epilepsy. However, do not try it at home.
The leaves of this plant are cylindrical, taper to a point and tend to be smaller than the original form. They may vary in shape from piece to piece. They have a red pattern around the edge and a waxy layer on the surface that gives them a whitish-green colour. The lower leaves dry out over time, so I recommend removing the dry leaves over time. The stem is flat and woody.
The cristata form does not flower.
This plant is easy to grow if given plenty of sunlight. Cotyledon orbiculata var. flanaganii cristata does not need to be fertilized to maintain its natural appearance. This crested form is quite rare and is therefore a collector's prized piece that will take your collection to the next level.