Tylecodon decipiens Photo by: © Plantemania
Origin and Habitat: Tylecodon decipiensSN|35309]]SN|35309]] has a restricted distribution in the northern Cape (Kleinsee near Grootmis in Namaqualand), Republic of South Africa and in Southern Namibia. This is a range-restricted species. (Extent of occurrence less tha 3 km2), known from two sites.
Habitat and ecology: Succulent Karoo. This species grows in shaded rock crevices on cliffs, not far from the coast. It flowers in late summer. It is not threatened, this species occurs in a remote area where there is little human impact on the environment.
Synonyms:
Description: Tylecodon decipiensSN|35272]]SN|35309]] is a dwarf to low-growing mat-forming succulents with a much-branched swollen tuberous base, the bark on older branches white and peeling. Tylecodon decipiensSN|35309]]SN|35309]] is a succulent shrub in cultivation, but is more compact in habitat.
Similar species: Sccording to Tolken, in nature the branches do not elongate much and are deceptively similar to the form of Tylecodon schaeferianusSN|35309]]SN|35272]] which was described by von Poellnitz as Cotyledon sinusalexandri.
Branches. 7-10 mm thick, pale grey-green, smooth, without phyllopodia, densely intertwined, often forming dense cushions to 20 cm across.
Leaves: Oblanceolate to elliptic, flat, (4-)5-12 mm long, 3-8(-10) mm broad, upper face flat or with a distinct median groove, grey-green, with obtuse apex. Older leaves glabrous.
Inflorescence (thyrses): Thread-like peduncle up to 20 mm long covered with glandular hairs, the inflorescence with 1 or 2 monochasia, each bearing one or several erect flowers. Pedicels up to1 cm long.
Flowers: Sepals 2-3 mm long, triangular-lanceolate. The corolla tube is 9-10 mm long, 4 mm in diameter, yellowish-green, the recurved lobes (petals) are 4-5 mm long white to (usually) pink.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Crassulaceae” Springer Science & Business Media, 06 December 2012
2) Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01 June 2000
3) Domitilla Raimondo, “Red list of South African plants” South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2009
4) Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. “Red data list of southern African plants.” Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
5) Tölken, H.R. 1985. Crassulaceae. In: O.A. Leistner (ed). “Flora of southern Africa” 14,1:1-244. Botanical Research Institute, Pretoria.
6) van Jaarsveld, E.J., Raimondo, D. & Desmet, P.G. 2007. Tylecodon decipiens Toelken. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2017.1. Accessed on 2018/08/12
