Nananthus sp. Enkelekoppie Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
(MG 1781.911) extremely variable, nice.
Origin and Habitat: 'Enkelekoppie' in Afrikaanse translates roughly to 'Solitary Hill' - of which there are many in South Africa! It is probably the name of an isolated farm somewhere in the Free State.
Synonyms:
Description: Nananthus sp Enkelekoppie is a pretty little species similar to Nananthus aloides but with longer leaves set with many warty dots. It is an extremely variable Nananthus and very cold hardy.
Leaves: Succulent, broadly triangular more or less elongate, narrow-pointed, 2,5-5 cm long broadly triangular in section, keeled, a rich, dark green set with many warty dots. The leaves take a red colouring in the cold.
Flowers: Flowers seems fairly standard for the genus, diurnal, daisy-like, petals yellow or straw-yellow, but some plants have particularly orange flowers with with a red stripe down each petal.
Cultivation and Propagation: Nananthus are easy and rewarding plants. They grow on winter rain areas and were heading for summer dormancy. Suggestions have been made to keep them cool, shaded and dry in summer. This species usually "wakes up" in mid-Fall. Water minimally in summer, only when the plant starts shrivelling. (but it is indeed a very adaptable species that can grow opportunistically in summer too if the water availability and growing condition are favourable). They need full sun or light shade on the other seasons.
Soil: Because of the tap root they need a highly gritty compost with much drainage.
Frost Tolerance: Nananthus will take a small amount of frost for a short time (it is reported to be hardy to at least -12° C). Keep cool in summer.
Comment: It has a gorgeous, thick root system and when it is potted up, the plant can be progressively raised over the ground so that some of the roots can be seen and is especially cultivated for their looks. Architecturally it is a real stunner. When the "caudex" shape of the raised roots is adequately in evidence this plant is incomparable. They also tend to grow more "heads" when they are raised.
Propagation: Cuttings or (rarely) seeds
