Succulents: Cotyledon Orbiculata - Pigs Ear

The pigs ear is a popular succulent around the world but is native to South Africa. It is a hardy plant which can be found in warm and dry climates between rocks, fynbos and grasslands. There are 10 Cotyledon species in South Africa and the Cotyledon orbiculate has 5 varieties. You can differentiate them by the shape of their flowers and leaves.

This winter bloomer (June-August) has clusters of bell-shaped (3cm) orange flowers on an elongated stalk (60cm). The leaves are fleshy and oval shaped (13mm-7cm) covered in a white powder which helps to reflect sunlight to conserve water. Their colour is a silver-grey or bright green and some varieties have red margins.

The Cotyledon orbiculata thrives in full sun and can tolerate partial shade, well-drained soil, needs plenty of air circulation, and very little water. The leaves are used for warts and corns, and the sap of the leaves to treat epilepsy.

HAPPY GARDENING!!

Succulent - by Gale L Mccoy

Im a plant
too much sun and I wither
too much shade I wilt
keep me by the window where you work
where the morning sun is filtered through blinds
where you wont always be
but will be consistently enough
place me where you forget me
but remember just enough to smile and water me

I am a succulent
not a hardy cactus
but a rosette
too much attention
too little attention
a drop of water at the wrong time
and im dying
then gone

Image Credit

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