Origin and Habitat: South Africa, Cape province (western Little Karoo)
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Conophytum piluliforme
Description: Conophytum piluliforme (subsp. piluliforme) is a minuscule winter-growing, densely caespitose, perennial-succulent up to 3 cm tall and forms dense mats or domes with time. Flowers are nocturnal and always have some sort of purplish colouration. It is sometimes confused with another small Little Karoo species: Conophytum joubertii, but that always has whitish flowers.
Bodies (paired leaves): 4-8(-10) mm tall, 2-5(-7) mm in diameter, globose-obconic, truncate to slightly convex, shaped like a small pill as seen from above; fissure compressed and surrounded by a dark line, the top flat, the surface light grey-green to grass- green or purplish-green with fine rather dark lines and spots, these looping, radiate or scattered, but not or only slightly raised, not shining, sometimes nearly absent and glabrous to slightly hairy. The sides often reddish.
Sheath: White or brownish, often spotted, semipersistent.
Flowers Opening at night, more than 1 cm in diameter. Petals purplish to copper-coloured.
Blooming season: Flowers appearing in mid-autumn,
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Conophytum piluliforme group
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) 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” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
2) Hammer, S. 1993. “The Genus Conophytum - A Conograph.” Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
3) Hammer, S. 2002. “Dumpling and His Wife: New Views of the Genus Conophytum.” East Anglia Engraving Creative Colour Ltd, Norwich, England.
4) Ernst Van Jaarsveld, Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Gideon Smith “Succulents of South Africa: A Guide to the Regional Diversity” Tafelberg Publishers, Limited, 01/lug/2000
5) Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer, 2002
6) Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
7) Gibbs Russell, G. E., W. G. Welman, E. Reitief, K. L. Immelman, G. Germishuizen, B. J. Pienaar, M. v. Wyk & A. Nicholas. “List of species of southern African plants.” Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa 1987
Cultivation and Propagation: Conophytum piluliformeSN|27518]]SN|27518]] is easy to grow, but like most, it will split and crack if overwatered (unsightly but usually not fatal). These plants grow on winter rain and head for summer dormancy. More or less dormant in summer.
Soil: They prefer a very porous potting mix to increase drainage. You can grow a plant in a 6-8 cm pot for years and have perfectly happy plants. For best results, use a shallow pot.
Repotting: Avoid to repot frequently. This plant may stay in the same pot for many years. Plants grown in larger containers have frequently relatively poor flowers. It might improve when the plants are given their own, small individual pots.
Watering: It requires little water; otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Water throughout the year although minimally in summer, (only occasional misting). Water regularly in winter after the previous year's leaves have dried up. Requires good drainage.
Fertilization: The plants are fertilized only once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the recommended strength.
Exposure: Keep cool and shaded from hot sun in mid-summer; it needs full sun or light shade in the other seasons.
Hardiness: Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation.
Pest & diseases: Conophytums are sensitive to mealybugs.
Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with Conophytums if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much. Care must be given in watering, keeping them warm and wet while growing, and cooler and dry when dormant.
Use: It is an excellent potted plant great for windowsill culture as well as in rock gardens. Indoors only in brightest position.
Propagation: It can be reproduced both by cuttings and seeds. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant. Each cutting must contain one or more heads, along with a fraction of root.
Conophytum piluliforme var. advenum (N.E.Br.) Rawé: has bodies without lobes and flowers only 5-8 mm in diameter.
