Sarcocaulon vanderietiae

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Botanical Name

Sarcocaulon vanderietiae

Family

Geraniaceae - The geranium family.

Pronunciation

sar-koh-KAW-lon fun-duh-RIH-tee-ay

Common Name(s)

bushman's candle; boesmankers

Plant Group

Succulent A plant having fleshy stems or leaves often adapted to dry conditions.

Plant Size

Small to Medium

Tree 8m to 15m

Shrub 75cm to 1m

Perennial/ground cover 20cm to 40cm

Bulb 30cm to 40cm

Succulent 20cm to 40cm
Small

Tree 4m to 8m

Shrub 50cm to 75cm

Perennial/ground cover 10cm to 20cm

Bulb 20cm to 30cm

Succulent 10cm to 20cm

Position

Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.
Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Deciduous Plants which completely lose their foliage for part of the year.
Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Frost: Half-hardy The plant is able to survive low temperatures and some frost but requires protection against severe frost.
Thorns / Spines / Prickles Thorn: A hard, woody, pointed branchlet. Spine: A modified leaf forming a hard, sharp-pointed outgrowth. Prickle: A small, sharp-pointed outgrowth growing from the bark of the plant.
Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.

Specific Information

Sarcocaulon is a succulent form from the Geranium family. These spiny shrublets have short, fleshy stems and branch just above soil level. The leaves are small and dark green.

Flowers

Description

five broad, crinkly textured petals in a saucer shape

Season

Spring to Summer Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

white
pink

Growth Rate

Very Slow Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Container Trees, shrubs and ornamental species that can adapt to growing in a restricted environment.
Pot Plant A plant that needs a protected environment on a patio or indoors.
Suitable for bonsai A shrub or tree that lends itself to being dwarfed.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.

Ad Break

Distribution

up to the Great Fish River in the Eastern Cape, where conditions are dry, on rocky hill- or mountainsides, in gravel and on outcrops of weathered quartzite

Planting Suggestions

All Sarcocaulons require direct sunlight when in full growth.
Plant in very well-drained coarse, sandy or gravelly soil.
Do not over-water.
Can anyone tell me if they have had success growing Sarcocaulons from cuttings? I am hesitant to cut even a little bit off mine to experiment.

Medicinal Uses

Availability