The Titanopsis calcarea which I acquired last year in February is now flowering for the first time and the flowers are tiny, really tine, 10mm, but how gorgeous!
Titanopsis is a small genus of dwarf succulents from the family of Aizoaceae. Naturally growing in the Upper Karoo in South Africa, Titanopsis is an attractive but quite unusual plant because of its formation. The plant grows as a dwarf succulent and produces thick truncated leaves that have crumpled surface. These unusual leaves display all the hues of red, purple, green, cream and blue throughout the year. Flowers appear in late fall and winter. Like its cousins in the Aizoaceae family, Titanopsis produces small daisy-like flowers of yellow colour.
Titanopsis genus occur in three separate areas of southern Africa: southern Namibia, the region around the south-eastern border of Namibia and a larger area spanning between the former Cape Province and Orange Free State in South Africa. This unusual distribution means that the different Titanopsis species live in different rainfall systems - either summer or winter rainfall depending on the species. Cultivation is easy with full sun, very well-drained soil, and attention to the natural rainfall of the particular species' habitat.
It is a very rewarding succulent, and can be cultivated in desert gardens in warm climates or in greenhouses or windowsills in the home. Enjoys bright shade in summer and full sun in the other seasons. It requires watering fromautumn to spring, and less in summer. They grow quickly from seed or by division of larger clumps.
My Titanopsis last winter. As can be seen from the pics above, several new clumps have already formed. They are also sometimes referred to as Concrete Leaf or Jewel Weed.
| Family: | Aizoaceae (ay-zoh-AY-see-ee) |
| Genus: | Titanopsis (ty-tan-OP-sis) |
| Species: | calcarea (kal-KAR-ee-uh) |
