Trichodiadema densum

Click on an image to enlarge it.

Botanical Name

Trichodiadema densum

Family

Aizoaceae - The fig-marigold family or ice plant family

Pronunciation

try-koh-dy-uh-DEE-ma DEN-sum

Common Name(s)

USA: Desert rose

Plant Group

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

Plant Size

Small

Tree 4m to 8m

Shrub 50cm to 75cm

Perennial/ground cover 10cm to 20cm

Bulb 20cm to 30cm

Succulent 10cm to 20cm

Position

Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
Frost: Tender A plant that will not survive any frost or low winter temperatures.
Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.

Specific Information

With its spiny appearance, Trichodiadema densa could be mistaken for a cactus. It is in fact a spreading, mat-forming succulent with green, succulent leaves that are tipped with a circle or crown of stiff white hairs. The plant has thick and fleshy tuberous roots and woody stems. It produces abundant large, white centered, purplish-pink flowers whilst growing in habitat but is known to be obstinate about flowering in cultivation. Flowers only open on sunny mornings for a part of daytime. The area in which they grow has an annual rainfall of 200 - 220 mm annually. The plants are browsed by game and livestock during times of food scarcity.

Ad Break

Flowers

Description

vygie flower, daisy-like, 4 - 5 cm in diameter

Season

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

Colour

pink

Growth Rate

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.
Rock Garden An area constructed of larger rocks, arranged naturally, to emphasise the use of stones as a main element. Generally plants used do not need a lot of care.

Distribution and Habitat

in the region of Uniondale in the Western Cape Province to Willowmore in the Eastern Cape Province and the souther and eastern Little Karoo, in arid conditions, in rock crevices.

Planting Suggestions

Plant in a sunny spot in very well drained sandy soil and water only when thoroughly dry. Try to mimic its habitat by planting it between rocks. Although easy to cultivate,Trichodiadema densa is extremely shy of flowering when grown out of its natural habitat.

Medicinal Uses

No data found.

Ad Break

Author: Lorraine Solomon