Accepted Scientific Name: Antimima intervallaris (L. Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann
Bothalia 28: 74 1998
Origin and Habitat: Vanrhynsdorp District, Western Cape, South Africa.
Habitat and ecology: This species grows in shrubby associations on slopes with quartzite stones. The climate in this area is very dry with 100-500 mm/annum rainfall in winter. The species is stable and not threatened.
Synonyms:
Description: Antimima intervallarisSN|32014]]SN|32014]] succulent shrublet with decumbent branches with long, wand-like visible internodes and heterophyllous (having different types of leaves). Flowers are solitary pink or purple. It sheaths over in summer.
Derivation of specific name: Latin “intervallaris”, with intervals, spaced; for the long regular, internodes on the elongated branches.
Stems: Branches erect and decumbent (low growing or droopy) to 28 cm long, internodes ochre to purplish-brown, 3-4 cm long, 0 4 mm on old stems, in young branches in cultivation internodes 0.5-3 cm long.
Leaves: These peculiar plants are heterophyllous, that is to say that they produce leaves of two kinds on a branch: the first pairs of the season (for the summer dormant period) with long, loose sheaths enclosing subsequent leaves, the free parts to 35 mm long, to 11 mm broad, to 9 mm thick; other leaf pair (during the winter) much longer hardly connate, forked, free parts 9-15 mm long, 3-7 mm broad, 3-5 mm thick, both 3-sided glabrous, green and waxy; epidermis papillate. In the leaf sequence, the species resembles that of Vanzijlia annulata.
Flowers: Solitary, ca. 24 mm in diameter. Pedicels 12 mm long, bracteoles basal. Petals pinkish-purple, to 10 mm long,1 mm broad, filamentous staminodes white, upper half blackish-purple, tips whitish, anthers and pollen white.
Fruits (capsules): Typical of genus 5-loculed c. 7 mm in diameter. Top with medium high rims, base bowl-shaped with bulges, valve wings or very narrow bands appearing only when a fresh fruit is opening.
Taxonomic note: The citation of the name Ruschia intervallarisSN|32015]]SN|32015]] L.Bolus under Mossia intervallarisSN|32016]]SN|32016]] is an error (Brown 1929).
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Burgoyne, P.M. 2006. "Antimima intervallaris (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann." National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2015.1. Accessed on 2015/11/14
2) Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer Science & Business Media, 2002
3) Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “New combinations in Antimima (Ruschioideae, Aizoaceae) from southern Africa” Bothalia 28.1: 67-82 (1998)
4) Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton “Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names” Springer Science & Business Media, 29 June 2013
5) L.Bolus “Notes on Mesembnanthemum and allied genera”, part 2: 91 1929
6) J. Manning: Field Guide to Fynbos. Struik, 2007
7) Antimima. In: Gideon Smith “Mesembs of the World. Illustrated Guide to a Remarkable Succulent Group.” Briza Publications 1998
8) E.J. Jaarsveld & U. De Pienaar “Aizoaceae” Ulmer 2000
9) S.A. Hammer « Mastering the art of growing mesembs», in Cact. Succ. Journ. (USA), 67(4). 1995
10) Wyk, A. E. van, Smith, G. F. “Regions of Floristic Endemism in Southern Africa. A Review with Emphasis on Succulents.” Umdaus Press. 2001.
Cultivation and Propagation: The Antimima intervallarisSN|32014]]SN|32014]] is a "winter" grower which is most active from late winter until later spring and heading for summer dormancy. It is relatively easy to grow.
Soil: Requires good drainage as it it is prone to root rot. It can grows outdoor in sunny, dry, rock crevices (protection against winter wet is required) It can also be cultivated in alpine house, in poor, drained soil.
Fertilization: It thrives in poor soils and seems sensitive to an excess of potassium.
Watering: Water minimally in summer, only when the plant starts shrivelling, water more abundantly when they are growing in the autumn and spring. Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars).
Light: It needs a bright sunny or light shade exposure in winter, but keep cool and shaded in summer.
Hardiness: It prefer a very bright situation and will take a light frost (Hardy to -5°C or lessif it is in dry soil).
Uses: Container, rock garden.
Propagation: Seed in spring or cuttings. It is easily propagated by seed.
