Pleiospilos nelii

Pleiospilos Nelii

Pleiospilos nelii is a genus of succulent flowering plants of the family Aizoaceae.
It is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. The name is derived from the
Greek pleios.  The plant closely resembles a small cracked or split rock (hence
the common name), an appearance which may have evolved as a defence against
being eaten by animals.

This very short-stemmed plant has one or more pairs of opposite, almost hemispherical,
grey-green or brownish leaves. The surface of the plant has many small dark spots. A new
pair of leaves is produced each year, replacing an older pair. The daisy-like flowers are
yellow-orange and emerge from the centre of the leaves. The flowers are large in relation to
the size of the plant. Each flower opens in the afternoon and closes at sunset, over a bloom
period of several days.

In cultivation, Pleiospilos require a sunny position in a greenhouse or conservatory, in a
well-drained compost. A mix of 50/50 JI 2 and 2-4 mm grit/perlite is fine. Water from
about April through to October and keep dry in winter.

The plant shown in the photograph is about seven years old and had never flowered until
now. It started to show signs of an emerging bud in late February and within 10 days had
produced this wonderful orange-yellow flower. It’s positioned in my conservatory in bright
but not direct sunlight.
Bryan J Morris