Glottiphyllum

Glottiphyllum is a genus of about 57 species of succulent subtropical plants of the family Aizoaceae. It is closely related to the Gibbaeum and Faucaria genera. The name comes from ancient Greek γλωττίς glottis "tongue" and φύλλον phyllon "leaf". The species are native to South Africa, specifically to Cape Province and the Karoo desert. They grow in rocks and soils incorporating slate, sandstone and quartz. Rainfall in their native areas is between 125 and 500 mm (4.9 and 19.7 in), most of which falls in March and November.

Glottiphyllum
Glottiphyllum longum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Core eudicots
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Aizoaceae
Genus:
Glottiphyllum

Nebr., 1921
Species

about 57, see text

Description

Glottiphyllum plants have thick, soft leaves arranged in pairs that are low to the ground and often graze the soil surface. They also have rhizomes. They sport yellow flowers with narrow petals in the autumn and winter. The flowers are sometimes fragrant and around 5 cm in diameter. The species readily interbreed, making hybridization easy.

Example species

Culture

Glottiphyllum plants can be grown in small pots in poor soil with sand and clay. They require full sun, and need moderate watering in summer and none in winter (during which the plant undergoes a necessary rest period). If overwatered, the plants become deformed.

Bibliography
  • Heidrun E. K. Hartmann : Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae F-Z, Éditions Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York, 2001, ISBN 3-540-41723-0
  • Gideon Smith u.a. : Mesembs of the World: Illustrated Guide to a Remarkable Succulent Group, Éditions Springer, 1998, ISBN 1-875093-13-3
  • Heidrun E.K. Hartmann, Horst Gölling: A monograph on the genus Glottiphyllum (Mesembryanthema, Aizoaceae). In: Bradleya. Band 11, 1993, S. 1–49


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