Lenophyllum GUTTATUM

Lenophyllum GUTTATUM - Spotted lenophyllum, Spotted stonecrop.

Lenophyllum is a small genus of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), comprising about seven species. All of them grow in northeastern Mexico and southern Texas, on limestone cliffs and rocky slopes.

The plants are perennial, succulent, low-growing, with creeping or ascending shoots. The leaves are opposite, fleshy, arranged decussately (crosswise), and slightly fused at the base.

The peduncle is terminal, bearing small yellow star-shaped flowers. The genus name is composed of the Greek 'lenos' - 'trough' and 'phyllon' - 'leaf', referring to the concave shape of the leaf blade.

Lenophyllum guttatum is a compact species 10-15 cm (4-6 in) high with thick spatulate leaves 2-4 cm (0.8-1.6 in) long.

The coloration is grayish-green, and scattered across the leaf surface are small reddish-brown spots and flecks, for which the species received its name. In bright sun, the spots darken and the edges of the leaves flush red. Flowering occurs in autumn and winter, with small yellow flowers on a short flower stalk.

Lenophyllum seeds are very small and light-sensitive. Soaking such tiny seeds is impractical, so the substrate itself is sanitized: before sowing, it is drenched with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and dried slightly. Scarification and stratification are not required.

Sowing is performed on the surface without burying: the seeds require light. A sterile mineral substrate is used with a top layer of washed sand. The sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a solution of growth stimulant: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon, covered with a transparent lid or placed in a greenhouse, and germinated in bright filtered light at a temperature of 18-24 °C (64-75 °F).

Seedlings emerge unevenly within 1-3 weeks. Sowings are ventilated daily and condensation is removed. Pricking out is done after the seedlings have visibly strengthened. The simplest way to propagate Lenophyllum is by leaf: a detached leaf is dried for twenty-four hours and placed on moist sand, where it roots in 2-3 weeks.

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The plant needs the brightest possible spot with several hours of direct sun: the vibrancy of the speckling and red margin depends precisely on the lighting.

Care is moderately warm, in winter cool, at 10-15 °C (50-59 °F). The plant tolerates a brief drop to 5 °C (41 °F) provided it is kept dry. It does not tolerate frost.

Watering is moderate, only after the substrate has dried out completely. In summer, during the period of slowed growth, watering is reduced. Water stagnation is unacceptable.

The substrate should be loose, mineral, water-permeable, with a high proportion of coarse sand and perlite. Drainage is mandatory at the bottom of the pot, and a shallow container is chosen.

Fertilizer is applied rarely, once a month during the growing season, with a weak solution of fertilizer for cacti and succulents.

Repotting is carried out as the clump expands. The leaves hold onto the stem loosely and detach easily with careless handling, so the plant is repotted gently by potting on.