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Index


Succulents:
Aristaloe aristata
Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’
Crassula muscosa
Euphorbia globosa
Gasteria batesiana
Haworthia fasciata “Big Band”
Sanseviera cylindrica
Sansevieria trifasciata (Mother-in-laws-tongue)
Titanopsis calcarea


Cactus:
Cereus validus
Ferocactus fordii (subsp. borealis)
Mammillaria elongata
Oreocereus celsianus

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Mammillaria elongata

Mammillaria elongata For post number 7, I have the magnificent Mammillaria elongata , commonly called the ‘Ladyfinger cactus’. This is a truly beautiful cactus, with tons of character (and spikes!). Mammillaria derives from the word nipple or teat! Carl Linnaeus named this genus in 1753 after the tubercles (round like nodules) sometimes found on these cacti. Carl was somewhat of an expert on naming things and is often called the ‘father of modern taxonomy’ (it was him who grouped humans with apes), so I begrudgingly accept his nipple naming of this un-nipple like plant. The name Mammillaria elongata  makes slightly more sense knowing that ‘elongata’ means ‘longer’ or ‘elongated’. Mammillaria elongata , will forever be called the elongated nipple to me. The Mammillaria genus contains around 200 species of cactus, varying greatly from single stems to clumps, balls to columns, with stiff to hairy spines. I picked my Mammillaria elongata  from my local ...
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Aristaloe aristata

Aristaloe aristata Post number 4: back to succulents with Aristaloe aristata , or the ‘lace aloe’. Aristaloe aristata  used to be called Aloe aristata , until phylogenetic studies showed it is not an Aloe. Aristaloe aristata still appears under the name  Aloe aristata , and in fact it is labelled as this in some of my books- so be warned! Aloe is a huge genus, with over 500 species. Aloe normally have a rosette of leaves that are thick and fleshy. The name Aloe is a derivative of the Arabic word ‘alloeh’, which means shining bitter substance, which is accurate since Aloe leaves have a bitter sap. Studies have shown that Aristaloe aristata  is closely related to the Atroloba and Haworthia genus’ and not the Aloe genus. As a result, a new genus ‘Aristaloe’ was created to represent its uniqueness. Aristaloe aristata is the only species in the Aristaloe genus! So it is really unique! Aristata means bristly or awned and refers to the  Aristalo...
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Titanopsis calcarea

Titanopsis calcarea Today's post is about a very odd looking succulent, Titanopsis calcarea . Titanopsis calcarea also goes by ‘ Jewel plant ’, and ‘ concrete leaf ’- both of which I think describe it nicely! The warty appearance of the leaves look like limestone, making it well camouflaged in the rocky outcrops of South Africa it is found.   As a small succulent (mine is only a couple of cm tall), it does not stand out. However, on close inspection Titanopsis calcarea is so unique, I am sure you will enjoy having one in your collection. The genus Titanopsis is small, containing ~10 species. The genus name Titanopsis is derived from the Ancient Greek words ‘titanos’(=limestone) and ‘opsis’ (=looks like), which sums up the genus perfectly. Calcarea is derived from the Latin for limestone, again referencing Titanopsis calcarea ’s appearance and habitat. My  Titanopsis calcarea was a gift, however I have seen these plants online for ~£8.   Care in...
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