Titanopsis calcarea Description: Mat forming succulent with basal rosettes up to 10 cm wide.
Leaves: Up to 2.5 cm long with truncate tip. This species has variously coloured leaves, usually grey or blue-green, densely covered at the apex with whitish, creamy grey, ochre, red or bluish rough tubercles (depending on plant’s origin).
Flowers: 2 cm orange-yellow flowers in late fall and winter.
Origin and Habitat: South Africa (Bushmanland, Upper Karoo)
Habitat: With a white incrustation to the leaves, it is confined to limestone outcrops. This is probably a rare case of protective coloration in plants akin to that found in the animal kingdom and these plants blend in well with their surroundings.
Titanopsis calcarea Cultivation and Propagation: This species is easy to grow and clumps readily, forming a beautiful succulent mat. Needs moderate water when growing in late fall and early spring. Keep somewhat dry the rest of the time. Like all living rocks, they thrive in porous soils with excellent drainage. It can tolerates high heat and heavy frost (hardy to -10° C). 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.
Propagation: They grow quickly from seed or by division of larger clumps.
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