학명 : Cotyledon tomentosa Harv. subsp. ladismithiensis (Poelln.) Toelken
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Ladismith bear’s paw
사진 : 2023.02.25 서울대공원
Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis is a medium-sized shrub, with succulent, hairy leaves and stems. It occurs in rock outcrops, shallow soil and is drought and light frost tolerant, suitable for rockeries and water-wise gardens.
Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis is a medium-sized shrub, with succulent, hairy leaves and stems. It occurs in rock outcrops, shallow soil and is drought and light frost tolerant, suitable for rockeries and water-wise gardens.
Description
Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis is an evergreen, perennial, succulent shrub, growing up to 1 m in height, including the inflorescence. It has a fibrous root system and the stem is 5–20 mm in diameter. Leaves are epetiolate (no leaf stalk), decussately or oppositely arranged, elliptical in shape and covered with white, short hairs, occasionally with 1–3 teeth at the tips.
Inflorescence is 160 mm long. Flowers are cup-shaped with 5 fused petals, usually 15 mm long, orange, turning reddish when it has finished flowering; pedicel (flower stalk) about 20 mm long. Flowering from winter to spring (June to September). Seeds are very small, forming in August.
Distribution and habitat
Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis is endemic to Ladismith and surrounding areas in the little Karoo region, Western Cape. Its distribution is so localized and it is found on shale outcrops on the Swartberg Mountain between Calitzdorp and Ladismith, Laingsburg (near Buffels River and Floriskraal Dam), Warmwaterberg and Muiskraalkop. Often found in shallow soil in full sun. Temperatures are high, with a maximum daily temperature of between 27 and 35ºC in summer (November to January), but can sometimes reach 40 degrees. The winters are very cold (May to July), with the temperature sometimes reaching freezing point. Rainfall mostly occurs in winter, ranging between 125–300 mm per annum.