Oscularia deltoides

Oscularia deltoides
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Oscularia
Species: O. deltoides
Binomial name
Oscularia deltoides
Schwantes

Oscularia deltoides, the deltoid-leaved dewplant,[1] "dassievygie" or "sandsteenvygie", is a species of flowering succulent plant in the Aizoaceae family that is native to the south-western Cape, South Africa.[2]

This intensely flowering plant is found growing among sandstone rocks in the winter-rainfall mountains of the far south-western corner of South Africa. Growing to 30 cm (12 in) high and spreading indefinitely,[3] it has silver-blue foliage. The fat, succulent leaves are three-sided (hence the qualifier deltoides - "triangular"),[4] with red teeth on the margins. The stems are often tinged purple.

In the spring it produces masses of pink, almond-scented flowers.

It is increasingly grown in South African gardens as an ornamental plant and can easily be propagated from cuttings, which should be planted in a sunny position. This low-maintenance succulent spreads out forming a colourful mat and grows well on the rocky edge of flower beds where it cascades over the edge. It attracts butterflies. In colder temperate regions it requires winter protection or glass cover. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5]

It was previously classed in the genus Lampranthus, as Lampranthus deltoides.[6]

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References

  1. ↑ "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. ↑ "Oscularia deltoides". plantzafrica.com. S A National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  3. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  4. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  5. ↑ "Oscularia deltoides". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "Oscularia deltoides". Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
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