Cephalophyllum SPISSUM

Cephalophyllum SPISSUM - Thick-leaved ice plant, Cephalophyllum spissum.

Cephalophyllum is a genus of perennial succulent plants in the ice plant family (Aizoaceae), comprising several dozen species distributed predominantly in the Cape Provinces of South Africa and in Namibia. Members of the genus are found in desert and dry shrubland biomes, on sandy and rocky soils, open slopes, and well-drained sites where plants receive bright sun and quick drying after rains.

Plants develop as low carpet-forming or mat-forming succulents with creeping, branching shoots. The leaves are fleshy, opposite, cylindrical, three-angled or almost rounded in cross-section, green, gray-green, or bluish, sometimes with a waxy bloom. New leaf pairs develop from the fissure between the old ones, as in many members of the Aizoaceae family.

Flowers in cephalophyllums are usually large for the size of the plant, multi-petaled, resembling bright daisies or ice flowers. They open during the day under good light and close in overcast weather or in the evening. Flower coloration can be yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, or whitish. After flowering, multi-locular capsules with small seeds are formed.

Cephalophyllum spissum is a compact mat-forming succulent from the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it grows in dry rocky and sandy habitats. The plant forms low, dense clumps of short shoots with fleshy leaves, usually remaining small and neat even at maturity.

The leaves are thick, succulent, dark green, gray-green, or slightly glaucous, three-angled in cross-section, finger-like, in young pairs often noticeably unequal in size, up to 5-6 cm (2.0-2.4 in) long. The flowers are large relative to the size of the plant, bright, multi-petaled, most often in shades of pink, salmon, purple, or reddish. They open fully only in good light.

In cultivation, Cephalophyllum spissum is valued as a compact aizoaceous succulent with dense, fleshy leaves and bright flowering. It is suitable for sunny windowsills, dry mini-arrangements, shallow dishes, mesemb collections, and winter gardens with good ventilation.

The seeds of Cephalophyllum are small, brown, pear-shaped or irregular in form, developing in multi-locular capsules.

Sowing is carried out superficially or almost superficially, without soaking. A sterile mineral seed substrate based on fine peat, washed sand, fine gravel, and perlite is used. Seeds are distributed over the surface, lightly pressed down, and not covered or sprinkled with a barely noticeable layer of sifted sand. The sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or biofungicide, if necessary with the addition of a growth stimulant: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon.

The container is covered with a transparent lid or placed in a mini-greenhouse. Germination is carried out under bright diffused light, without direct sun or overheating, at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Sowings are aired daily, condensation is removed, and the substrate surface is kept slightly moist, but not wet. For ice plants, it is especially important to avoid stagnant dampness with poor air circulation.

The first sprouts may appear in 7-21 days, but germination can be extended and depends on temperature and humidity. After emergence, the cover is gradually opened, and seedlings are kept under bright diffused light with cautious watering. Pricking out is carried out after the seedlings have strengthened and begun to form fleshy leaves, when plants are already convenient to transfer with a small clump of substrate.

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For Cephalophyllum spissum, a very bright spot with direct morning or evening sun is used. Southern, southeastern, and southwestern windows are most suitable, but in severe summer heat behind glass, light shading and ventilation may be needed. With insufficient light, shoots stretch, leaves become looser, and flowering weakens or fails to occur.

During active growth, a temperature of 18-28 °C (64-82 °F) is maintained; with good air movement, the plant tolerates short-term heat. Wintering is preferred bright and cool, at 8-14 °C (46-57 °F), with very infrequent watering. In cold weather, it is important to prevent wet soil, as roots and shoot bases quickly suffer from dampness. Container plants cool down faster than plants in the ground, so winter dryness is especially important.

Watering is carried out sparingly, only after the soil has dried out well. In the warm season, the root ball is moistened moderately, but not left wet for long, and excess water from the tray is always drained after 15-20 minutes. During the cool dormant period, watering almost ceases and is performed only when leaves show noticeable wrinkling. Misting is not required; air humidity is maintained at normal room level or dry.

The soil used is lean, loose, mineral, and quick-drying: ready-made mix for cacti and succulents, coarse sand, fine gravel, pumice, zeolite, crushed brick, perlite, and a small amount of leaf soil. The mineral fraction should make up a significant proportion of the mixture. A drainage layer must be placed at the bottom. Pots are chosen shallow and wide, with drainage holes, as the plant spreads sideways.

Repotting is performed in spring, usually once every 3-4 years or after extensive cushion growth. Careful potting-on is used with removal of old, dried, or damaged shoots. After repotting, the plant is kept for several days without watering. Fertilizer is applied only during active growth once every 4-6 weeks with a weak solution of cactus and succulent fertilizer low in nitrogen. Excess nutrients cause loose, watery growth and reduce resistance to rot.

Propagation in cultivation is possible by stem cuttings and division of an expanded cushion. Cuttings are taken from mature shoots, dried for a few days, and planted in a dry or barely moist mineral substrate. Initial waterings are done carefully, only after rooting begins.