Accepted Scientific Name: Conophytum truncatum (Thunb.) N.E.Br.
Gard. Chron. III, 71: 261 1922
Conophytum multipunctatum Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: Uniondale Division, Cape Province, South Africa
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Conophytum truncatum
Description: Conophytum multipunctatumSN|22029]]SN|22029]] is one of the forms of the morphologically variable Conophytum truncatumSN|22024]]SN|22024]]. It is a dwarf almost stemless mat-forming succulent, distinguished from the type species for the pale grey-green bodies closely patterned with very numerous, fine, dots. Conophytum multipunctatumSN|22029]]SN|22029]] is not accepted by many botanists that treat it as synonym, but it still has a value for a collector because they identify plants with particular characters.
Bodies (paired leaves): up to 2 cm long and 1.5 cm in diameter, slightly pear-shaped, truncated above with depressed fissure. Upper side with rather peculiar humps of irregularly circular outline, pale grey-green, the whole upper whole upper surface and the upper part of the sides closely patterned with very numerous, fine, dots.
Flowers. Nocturnal white.
More...Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Conophytum truncatum group
Conophytum multipunctatum Tischer: has pale grey-green bodies closely patterned with very numerous, fine, dots. Distribution: Uniondale Division, Cape Province, South Africa.- Conophytum peersii Lavis: has pale bluish-green bodies with dark green spots. Distribution: West of Klaarstroom, Western Cape Province, South Africa.
- Conophytum subglobosum Tischer: differs for the more rounded (not truncated) pair of leaves. Distribution: Little Karoo , Western Cape, South Africa.
- Conophytum truncatum (Thunb.) N.E.Br.: forms huge tight mounds of hundreds of pea-shaped heads, variable from completely unmarked to very heavily dark spotted or lined. Distribution: Little Karoo , Western Cape, South Africa.
- Conophytum truncatum subs. viridicatum (N.E.Br.) S.A.Hammer
- Conophytum truncatum var. wiggettiae (N.E.Br.) Rawé
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Tischer “Conophytum multipunctatum, Tisch. spec. nov. (§ Truncatella)” Cact. Succ. J. Gr. Brit. 6: 37 (1937); et: Cact. J. (Croydon) 6: 37-38 (1937)
2) Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 54: 169 (1982)
Cultivation and Propagation: All the forms of Cconophytum truncatum are easy to grow. These plants grow on winter rain and head for summer dormancy. They require little water; otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Water minimally in summer, (only when the plant starts shrivelling), but it will generally grow even in summer if given water. Water regularly in winter after the previous year's leaves have dried up. Requires good drainage. Keep cool and shaded in summer, it needs full sun or light shade. Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation. Avoid to repot frequently. This plant may stay in the same pot for many years.
Propagation: It can be reproduced both by cuttings and seeds. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant. Each cutting must contain one or more heads along with a fraction of root.
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