Origin and Habitat: Cheiridopsis peculiarisSN|22645]]SN|22645]] is a strictly endemic species found only in one area of South Africa (Little namaqualand), just to the west of Steinkopf in the south-eastern Richtersveld.
Altitude: 600-1000 m.
Habitat: It is an excellent example of mimesis within the genus and occupies a shallow slope of reddish brown, clay where it blend among the background. It is a winter growing species that starts to grow again autumn after a long dormant rest during the summer.

• Cheiridopsis peculiaris N.E.Br.

Description: Cheiridopsis peculiarisSN|22645]]SN|22645]] is a small plant with 2-3 branches and probably one of the most most beautiful members of this genus and, as the name implies, it is very peculiar.
Body (Paired leaves): It makes two sorts of leaves borne in 2 pairs, each of a different shape. The longer lower leaves up to 5 cm long, broadly triangular-ovate united at the base are produced during the growing season and lie flat on the ground, with flattened upper surface, they dry up to eventually become papery. The upper resting and shorter leaf pairs are upright and entirely united, forming a pointedly or blunt cone and encloses completely the new long leaf-pairs during the dry season. They are grey-green to purplish with darker dots on the sides. At the base of the leaf pair there is a persisting sleeve-like sheath, that is the remnants of the older leaves.
Flower: Daisy-like 10-12 mm long, 25-35 mm in diameter, light-yellow to somewhat reddish.

Bibliography: 1) Heidrun E. K. Hartmann “Aizoaceae F – Z” Springer, 2002
2) Jacobsen. “Handbook of succulent plants” 1328 (1960)
3) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass - Casuarinaceae to Aristolochiaceae” Cambridge University Press, 11/ago/2011
4) Riha & Subik “The illustrated encyclopaedia of cacti and other succulents” (1981)
5) E. K. Hartmann “The Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants” 2001
7) Margaret J. Martin, Peter Richard Chapman “Succulents and their cultivation” Scribner, 1978
8) "Veld & Flora" Vol. 75, Ed. 1 Botanical Society of South Africa, 1989
9) "Cactus and succulent journal of Great Britain" Vol. 39-43 - Page 14 Cactus and Succulent Society of Great Britain 1977

Cultivation and Propagation: It one of the post popular of this genus and is very easily raised although not so easy flowered as it requires high irradiation (sunlight). It must be kept quite dry during the resting period, and will need careful watering preferably from the base.
Propagation: It can be sown in the spring or summer. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after after the first or second year they should be big enough to separate and be planted into their own pots.