Family: Aizoaceae
Common Name: Cone Plant

There are over 80 species of these dwarf, very succulent perennials, known as 'mimicry plants', all native to South Africa. Their small, fleshy bodies come in a variety of shapes-conical, globose, egg, heart or subcylindrical-and consist of two joined, very fat leaves. The top surface of the leaves is variable and may be convex, concave, flat and fissured, or double-lobed. The short-stalked late summer or autumn flowers come in white, cream, yellow, copper, pink, orange or violet, and vary in size from 8 to 30 mm (¼-1 in) in diameter. Some of the species flower in the evening with fragrant, white or cream blooms. New bodies are formed within the old which dry up to a papery, protective sheath for the duration of the resting period.

Species

C. bilobum, a two-lobed species with a slightly flattened body, branches with age, growing up to 5 cm (2 in) tall and about 2 cm (¾ in) thick. The lobes are rounded and grayish green in colour, with a red edge. The yellow flowers are up to 3 cm (1 in) across.

C. calculus has a small, round body, a flattened, chalky, grayish green surface and a small, round fissure from which arise the 12 mm (½ in) flowers, in yellow, tipped with brown. This species becomes mat-forming with age.

C. fenestratum also forms a mat with age. Its body has a deep fissure which divides each dark olive green to brown body into two sections, joined only near the base. The top surface is glossy, flattened and marked with translucent spots, and the flowers are a pinkish purple colour.

C. pictum is reddish in colour, with a green flattened top, covered in reddish brown spots and vein-like lines. The creamy flowers bloom at night.

Cultivation

Grow in an intermediate greenhouse or conservatory in shallow pots of well-drained, soil-based potting or cactus compost, containing plenty of grit and sand. Plants need maximum light and a dry atmosphere and must he kept completely dry from the end of spring until the middle of summer. At other times, water only moderately. Propagate from seed sown in spring or by separating and rooting the plant bodies in late summer.

Climate

Zone 10.