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A tiny little succulent species from South Africa. I first grew it years ago when I was able to buy
a small imported plant from a nursery in Lincolnshire. It had a reputation for being the easiest in a genus of
difficult plants (it is an extreme zerophyte). I managed to get it to re-root and grow weakly for two or three years
before it started to go downhill. I have fond memories. I was offered this seedling by a local grower and it is a much better prospect than the old plant. Already established but it still needs dry conditions and high light levels. The round pink flowers are as wonderful as you would expect from a member of the Geraniaceae. Lovely thing, completely impractical here but nice to have another try. Llifle encyclopedia of succulents says: "Monsonia patersonii, best known as Sarcocaulon patersonii, is a spiny, erect to spreading-ascending, succulent shrub or shrublet up to 0.5 m tall. It is perhaps the most remarkable of all the species of Sarcocaulon, itself an intriguing genus in the Geraniaceae. This species has wedge shaped leaves and the large flowers bloom in a variety of colours that can transform the landscape beautifully into a magnificent desert flower show. Colours range from dark pink to almost white. It was introduced in cultivation in Europe in 1827. This plant has a thick, waxy bark to protect it from sand storms. This bark burns quite easily, albeit with a lot of smoke, giving rise to the common name of 'Bushman's candle'. It produces an incense-like odour when burned." Bihrmann's Caudiciforms say: "This member of the Geraniaceae family was described by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in 1824. It is found in the south-western South Africa and Namibia, growing in grit or other well drained soil with little water and lots of sun. The stem grows up to four centimetres thick and 30 centimetres long. The flowers are whitish to pink, within a small area. The genera is named for Lady Ann Monson, 18th century plant collector on the Cape of Good Hope and in Bengal. The species name after William Paterson, 1755-1810, a English naturalist and traveller in South Africa. This is a winter-grower. |
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| 16th September 2010 | ||