Mitrophyllum ROSEUM

Mitrophyllum ROSEUM - Pink mitrophyllum, Mitrophyllum roseum.

Mitrophyllum is a "shamanic" plant from South Africa. The genus name derives from the Greek word "mitra", after the resemblance of the leaves to the headdress of a Catholic bishop. These are shrublets with dimorphic leaves and an unusual life cycle. During the dry season, the plants resemble something akin to strange mushrooms or bizarre attributes of shamanic cults.

Under the epidermis of these structures, remaining from the old leaves of the previous growing cycle, flat tongue-shaped leaves gradually form and mature. Initially, they are pressed tightly against each other. After the first rains, they increase their volume very quickly, rupture the outer integuments, and open widely, spreading out across the ground surface. In some species, they can be up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long and 2 cm (0.8 in) wide, most commonly narrow-oblong in shape. But the metamorphoses do not end there.

The second pair of leaves is completely unlike the preceding one. The subsequent pair of leaves is not only shorter, but also fused into a cone-shaped "body". Then, with the onset of the dormancy period, the leaves wither away, and beneath the papery sheaths preserved from them, leaves of the next cycle form during the dry period. In a season, the plant produces one pair of leaves of each type. All these features make mitrophyllums very atypical in the plant world.

The leaves of both pairs are quite soft, fresh green, and slightly papillate on the surface. The flowers - white, yellow, or pink, no more than 3 cm (1.2 in) wide - are fairly typical in structure and possess a strong fragrance. They bloom from midday to mid-afternoon. In nature, the flowering period extends from February to November.

Mitrophyllum roseum has leaves whose winter pair fuses only at the base and spreads widely apart, while the summer pair is fused more than halfway and is positioned vertically. The flowers are dark pink, 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) in diameter.

Seeds are sown on the surface in moist sand, moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun, at a temperature of 25-28 °C (77-82 °F). Sprouts require ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings.

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In the warm season, normal room temperature is suitable; during the winter rest period, cool conditions around 10 °C (50 °F) are required. Mitrophyllum is placed in a sunny location with direct sun rays in the morning and evening. On hot summer days, light shading is provided. It is one of the most undemanding plants, which is easier to kill with excessive care than with neglect. In summer, it can be kept outdoors under shelter from wind and rain.

Watering is moderate during the active growth period, allowing the substrate to dry out halfway down before each subsequent watering. In winter, it must be kept almost dry. When watering, one should try not to get water on the leaves and stems of the plant. Mitrophyllum does not require spraying and easily tolerates the dry air of residential rooms. Good air movement around the plant must be ensured, avoiding cold drafts. High air humidity leads to leaf and stem rot as well as bacterial leaf rot.

A light, porous, well-drained substrate is required, consisting of sod soil and leaf humus with the addition of a large amount of coarse river sand and perlite to improve drainage. It is fertilized monthly with fertilizers for cacti and succulents at half strength in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, feeding is stopped. An excess of nutrients leads to leaf withering.

Mitrophyllum is repotted only when necessary - when the pot becomes clearly too small for the plant or when it needs fresh substrate. Repotting is carried out in spring, choosing a small pot - mitrophyllum prefers slightly cramped conditions for profuse flowering.

It is a highly valuable collectible plant that is rarely found on sale. In cultivation, it rarely blooms in summer and only with very good care. Cuttings root with difficulty, so seed propagation remains the most preferred method.