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Accepted Scientific Name: Conophytum bilobum lacteum hort.
n. n., nov. comb. ined. [as: Conophytum lacteum L. Bolus 1967]
Origin and Habitat: Kosies (western part of South Africa)
Habitat: Growing in a well drained soil with some water in winter and some sun.
Synonyms:
- Conophytum bilobum lacteum hort.
- Conophytum lacteum L. Bolus
Conophytum bilobum (Marloth) N.E.Br.
Gard. Chron. 1922, Ser. III. lxxii. 83.
Synonymy: 122
- Conophytum bilobum (Marloth) N.E.Br.
- Derenbergia biloba (Marloth) Schwantes
- Mesembryanthemum bilobum Marloth
- Conophytum absimile L. Bolus
- Conophytum absimile var. major L. Bolus
- Conophytum absimile f. majus L. Bolus
- Conophytum absimile f. umbrosum L. Bolus
- Conophytum aequale L. Bolus
- Conophytum albescens N.E.Br.
- Mesembryanthemum albescens (N.E.Br.) hort.
- Conophytum ampliatum L. Bolus
- Conophytum amplum L. Bolus
- Conophytum andausanum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum andausanum var. immaculatum L. Bolus
- Conophytum angustum L. Bolus
- Conophytum angustum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum anomalum L. Bolus
- Conophytum apiatum N.E.Br.
- Derenbergia apiata (N.E.Br.) Schwantes
- Mesembryanthemum apiatum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum apiculatum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum approximatum Lavis
- Conophytum auctum f. approximatum (Lavis) Rawé
- Conophytum asperulum L. Bolus
- Conophytum asperulum var. brevistylum L. Bolus
- Conophytum auctum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum australe L. Bolus
- Conophytum barkerae L. Bolus
- Conophytum beekenkampianum Tischer
- Conophytum brevisectum L. Bolus
- Conophytum cauliferum N.E.Br.
- Derenbergia caulifera (N.E.Br.) Schwantes
- Mesembryanthemum cauliferum (N.E.Br.) hort.
- Conophytum cauliferum var. lekkersingense L. Bolus
- Conophytum christiansenianum L. Bolus
- Conophytum citrinum L. Bolus
- Conophytum compressum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum conradii L. Bolus
- Conophytum convexum L. Bolus
- Conophytum cordatum Schick & Tischer
- Conophytum cordatum var. macrostigma L. Bolus
- Conophytum coriaceum L. Bolus
- Conophytum crassum L. Bolus
- Conophytum curtum L. Bolus
- Conophytum dennisii N.E.Br.
- Conophytum difforme L. Bolus
- Conophytum dilatatum Tischer
- Conophytum dissimile L. Bolus
- Conophytum distans L. Bolus
- Conophytum divaricatum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum diversum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum dolomiticum Tischer
- Conophytum ecarinatum L. Bolus
- Conophytum ecarinatum var. angustum L. Bolus
- Conophytum ecarinatum var. mutabile
- Conophytum excisum L. Bolus
- Conophytum exsertum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum furcatum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum geminum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum glaucum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum gonapense L. Bolus
- Conophytum gonapense var. numeesicum L. Bolus
- Conophytum grandiflorum L. Bolus
- Conophytum gregale N.E.Br.
- Conophytum igniflorum n.n.
- Conophytum inclusum L. Bolus
- Conophytum incurvum N.E.Br. & Tischer
- Conophytum incurvum var. leucanthum (Lavis) Tischer
- Conophytum indefinitum L. Bolus
- Conophytum insigne L. Bolus
- Conophytum klipbokbergense L. Bolus
- Conophytum kubusbergense Tischer
- Conophytum largum L. Bolus
- Conophytum latum L. Bolus
- Conophytum lavisianum L. Bolus
- Conophytum laxipetalum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum lekkersingense L. Bolus
- Conophytum leucanthum Lavis
- Conophytum leucanthum var. multipetalum L. Bolus
- Conophytum macrostigma (L. Bolus) Schwantes
- Conophytum markoetterae Schwantes
- Conophytum meyerae Schwantes
- Conophytum meyerae f. alatum Tischer
- Conophytum meyerae f. apiculatum (N.E.Br.) Tischer
- Conophytum meyerae f. asperulum (L. Bolus) H.Jacobsen
- Conophytum meyerae f. pole-evansii (N.E.Br.) Tischer
- Conophytum nelianum Schwantes
- Conophytum noisabisense L. Bolus
- Conophytum nutaboiense Tischer
- Conophytum obtusum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum obtusum var. amplum (L. Bolus) Rawé
- Conophytum ovatum L. Bolus
- Conophytum parvulum L. Bolus
- Conophytum philippii L. Bolus
- Conophytum piriforme L. Bolus
- Conophytum plenum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum pluriforme L. Bolus
- Conophytum pole-evansii N.E.Br.
- Conophytum proximum L. Bolus
- Conophytum proximum Schwantes
- Mesembryanthemum proximum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum recisum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum simile N.E.Br.
- Conophytum simplum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum sitzlerianum Schwantes
- Conophytum smithersii L. Bolus
- Conophytum sororium N.E.Br.
- Conophytum springbokense N.E.Br.
- Conophytum strictum L. Bolus
- Conophytum strictum var. inaequale L. Bolus
- Conophytum stylosum (N.E.Br.) Tischer
- Mesembryanthemum stylosum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum subacutum L. Bolus
- Conophytum subcylindricum L. Bolus
- Conophytum subtenue L. Bolus
- Conophytum supremum L. Bolus
- Conophytum tectum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum tumidum N.E.Br.
- Conophytum tumidum var. asperulum L. Bolus
- Conophytum umdausense L. Bolus
- Conophytum variabile L. Bolus
- Conophytum vlakmynense L. Bolus
Conophytum bilobum subs. altum (L. Bolus) S.A.Hammer
Gen. Conophytum
Synonymy: 12
- Conophytum bilobum subs. altum (L. Bolus) S.A.Hammer
- Conophytum altum L. Bolus
- Conophytum altum var. plenum L. Bolus
- Conophytum apertum Tischer
- Conophytum connatum L. Bolus
- Conophytum corniferum Schick & Tischer
- Conophytum durnale N.E.Br.
- Conophytum gracile N.E.Br.
- Conophytum gracile var. majusculum L. Bolus
- Conophytum graciliramosum L. Bolus
- Conophytum luiseae Schwantes
- Conophytum luiseae var. papillatum L. Bolus
Conophytum bilobum subs. claviferens S.A.Hammer
Dumpling & His Wife: New Views of Gen. Conophytum 86 (2002).
Accepted name in llifle Database:
Conophytum bilobum var. elishae (N.E.Br.) S.A.Hammer
Dumpling & His Wife: New Views of Gen. Conophytum 85 (2002).
Synonymy: 4
- Conophytum bilobum var. elishae (N.E.Br.) S.A.Hammer
- Conophytum elishae N.E.Br.
- Derenbergia elishae (N.E.Br.) Schwantes
- Mesembryanthemum elishae N.E.Br.
Conophytum bilobum subs. gracilistylum (L. Bolus) S.A.Hammer
Gen. Conophytum 242, without basionym ref. 1993
Synonymy: 10
- Conophytum bilobum subs. gracilistylum (L. Bolus) S.A.Hammer
- Conophytum gracilistylum N.E.Br.
- Derenbergia gracilistyla (L. Bolus) Schwantes
- Mesembryanthemum gracilistylum L. Bolus
- Conophytum chauviniae (Schwantes) S.A.Hammer
- Conophytum bilobum subs. gracilistylum f. chauviniae (Schwantes)
- Conophytum gracilistylum f. chauviniae (Schwantes)
- Derenbergia chauviniae (Schwantes) Schwantes
- Mesembryanthemum augeiforme Schwantes
- Mesembryanthemum chauviniae Schwantes
Conophytum bilobum lacteum hort.
n. n., nov. comb. ined. [as: Conophytum lacteum L. Bolus 1967]
Synonymy: 2
- Conophytum bilobum lacteum hort.
- Conophytum lacteum L. Bolus
Conophytum bilobum var. linearilucidum (Lavis) S.A.Hammer
Dumpling & His Wife: New Views of Gen. Conophytum 85 (2002).
Synonymy: 2
- Conophytum bilobum var. linearilucidum (Lavis) S.A.Hammer
Conophytum bilobum var. muscosipapillatum (Lavis) S.A.Hammer
Dumpling & His Wife: New Views of Gen. Conophytum 85 (2002).
Synonymy: 2
- Conophytum bilobum var. muscosipapillatum (Lavis) S.A.Hammer
ENGLISH: Living Stone
Description: Conophytum bilobum lacteumSN|1166]]SN|19103]] (Conophytum lacteumSN|1290]]SN|1290]]) is a pure white flowering form of Conophytum bilobumSN|19103]]SN|1166]], and the plants are not readily distinguishable, if not for the flower colour.
Habit: Robust caespitose (groundcover) plant, stemless or with short stems with time.
Bodies (paired leaves): Thickness: 3 centimetres Height: 7 centimetres, Profile: The leaf-tips (lobes) are free and are 10 mm long. Colours: The margins are green to red or deep purple in colour. The epidermis is glabrous whitish-green to glaucous-green.
Flowers: Scentless up to 3 cm pure white.
Blooming season: The flowers are autumnal (rarely in summer) and diurnal.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Conophytum bilobum group
- Conophytum apertum Tischer: (subs. altum) differs from Conophytum bilobum subs. altum in that it has pronounced wide open lobes
- Conophytum apiatum N.E.Br.: (subs. bilobum) has conspicuous dots upon its whitish-green surface. Distribution: Remhoogte and adjacent areas, Little Namaqualand, South Africa.
- Conophytum bilobum (Marloth) N.E.Br.: It is a very variable taxon with short internodes, leaf-tips (lobes) free, leaves 1 to 6 cm long, more or less triangular in shape and keeled. The flowers are large yellow.
- Conophytum bilobum subs. altum (L. Bolus) S.A.Hammer: has long internodes long with depauperate bodies, and small flowers.
- Conophytum bilobum var. elishae (N.E.Br.) S.A.Hammer: large growing bi-lobed species. A transparent zone can be seen just below the fissure and extends downwards.
- Conophytum bilobum subs. gracilistylum (L. Bolus) S.A.Hammer: has very slender, long-lobed, pale green bodies with a fine spotting, with pale pink flowers. Distribution: northwest of Bitterfontein, West Cape Province, South Africa.
- Conophytum bilobum lacteum hort.: White flowering form. Distribution: Kuboos mountains, Richtersveld, Little Namaqualand, Western Cape, South Africa.
- Conophytum chauviniae (Schwantes) S.A.Hammer: (subs. gracilistylum) has leaf-tips free and triangular with deep red markings. Flowers pink to magenta with a prominent perianth tube. Distribution: Namaqualand, Western Cape, South Africa.
- Conophytum christiansenianum L. Bolus: (subs. bilobum) has robust bodies 7 cm tall, 3 cm wide, leaf-tips free, 10-40 mm long, triangula and keeled. Flower yellow up to 3 cm. Distribution: Namaqualand, Western Cape, South Africa.
- Conophytum conradii L. Bolus: (subs. bilobum) Bodies 3,5 centimetres long and 9 mm whide, deep green, leaf-tips free, triangular and keeled. Flowers scentless yellow. Distribution: Cape Province, South Africa.
- Conophytum cordatum Schick & Tischer: (subs. bilobum) has pink-violet blooms, bodies 20-25 mm high, 12-15 mm broad, and 8-10 mm thick cordate (heart-shaped) in outline and keeled. Distribution: western part of South Africa.
- Conophytum corniferum Schick & Tischer: (subs. altum) The shape of the bodies are as a normal altum and the internodes are somewhat elongated as expected for that subspecies.
- Conophytum gracile N.E.Br.: (subs. altum) has short, erect, stems which are covered with old leaf sheaths. Distribution: Cape province, Little Namaqualand.
- Conophytum igniflorum n.n.: has fiery orange flowers in autumn that set this species apart from other bilobed Conophytums. It could be a natural hybrid. Origins unknown exactly.
- Conophytum lavisianum L. Bolus: (subs. bilobum) It is a southern "bilobum" form with bare body.
- Conophytum luiseae Schwantes: (subs. altum)
- Conophytum meyerae Schwantes: (subs. bilobum) is one of the largest and robust forms. Bodies 6 cm tall 6 cm wide. the leaf-tips are heart-shaped and keeled. Distribution: Little Namaqualand
- Conophytum noisabisense L. Bolus: (subs. bilobum) Distribution: Little Namaqaland.
- Conophytum ovatum L. Bolus: (subs. bilobum) has broader paired leaves and smaller flowers. Distribution: Namaqualand, South Africa.
- Conophytum piriforme L. Bolus: has robust piriform (pear-shaped) bodies narrowed toward the apex. Distribution: Kuboos mountains, Richtersveld, Little Namaqualand, North-West Cape Province, South Africa.
- Conophytum pluriforme L. Bolus: (subs. bilobum) bodies variable in shape.
- Conophytum simplum N.E.Br.: (subsp. bilobum) has small, almost cylindrical bodies 40-50 mm high, 10-12 mm thick lobes erect, 6 mm long and wide. Distribution: Cape province, Little Namaqualand.
- Conophytum supremum L. Bolus: (subs. bilobum) Thickness 3 cm, height 7 cm. Leaf-tips free and are 10 mm long, triangular and keeled. Margins green to purple. Distribution: Northern Cape and Little Namaqualand.
- Conophytum variabile L. Bolus: (subs. bilobum)
- Conophytum vlakmynense L. Bolus: (subs. bilobum) Big, fat, bi-lobed species, with broad pale greyish green bodies.
Notes: Plants of the genus Conophytum are also known as 'living pebbles'. During the rest period (the summer months in Europe) a new body forms inside the old, gradually taking all the substances from it until all that remains is the skin, which dries and protects the young plant from the heat of the sun and excess evaporation of water. The resting Conophytum protected by this dry cover resembles a pebble and hence the name 'living pebble'. The growth period of most species is from August to March. The temperature should be about 10 to 12°C.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
2) Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. “Red List of South African Plants.” Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
3) Hammer, S. 1993. “The Genus Conophytum - A Conograph.” Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
4) Hammer, S. 2002. “Dumpling and His Wife: New Views of the Genus Conophytum.” East Anglia Engraving Creative Colour Ltd, Norwich, England.
Conophytum lacteum (Conophytum bilobum lacteum) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Conophytum lacteum (Conophytum bilobum lacteum) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Cultivation and Propagation: It is 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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