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Echeveria diffractens (Shattering Echeveria) - This succulent has flattened rosettes that are only an inch to two tall and 4 inches wide with many broad, short, pale pinkish gray-violet leaves that have a light thin cream outline. It is typically a solitary plant in habitat but in cultivation older plants will often form a small cluster. In late spring to early summer several unbranched erect flowering stems are produced from the center of the rosette with congested small leaves in tight rosettes, looking like a smaller version of the main plant on short stalks. As the inflorescence ages it elongates and becomes less erect with the stem leaves easily falling off as the many pale orange flowers emerge.
Plant in full sun or shade - color best with brightest light. Water infrequently to occasionally. It is hardy to around 25° F and reportedly can tolerate more humidity than most Echeveria. This fast growing and multiplying plant is a beautiful addition to the succulent garden or for use in containers.
The genus Echeveria is a member of the large Crassula family (Crassulaceae), which has about 1,400 species in 33 genera with worldwide distribution. Echeveria, with approximately 180 species, are native to mid to higher elevations in the Americas with the main distribution in Mexico and central America but with one species found from as far north as southern Texas and several species occurring as far south as Bolivia, Peru and possibly Argentina.
Echeveria diffractens was described relatively recently in 1981 by Myron Kimnach and Alfred Lau Echeveria who discovered it in 1978 East Central Mexico near Vera Cruz. The name for the genus honors the Mexican botanical artist Atanasio Echeverría y Godoy in 1828 by the French botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle (DeCandolle) who was very impressed with Echeverría's drawings. Echeverría had accompanied the the Sessé and Mociño expedition (led by Martin de Sessé y Lacasta and Mariano Mociño Suárez de Figueroa) while exploring Mexico and northern Central America and had produced thousands of botanical illustrations. The specific epithet 'diffractens' is from Latin meaning "breaking into pieces" or "shattering" in reference to the easily detached bract leaves. It is also this tendency that gives this plant the common name Shattering Echeveria.
The book The genus Echeveria by John Pilbeam (published by the British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2008) is an excellent source of information on the species and Echeveria Cultivars by Lorraine Schulz (AKA Rudolf Schulz) and Attila Kapitany (Schulz Publishing, 2005) has beautiful photos and great information on the cultivars and hybrids. It has been argued by some that the correct pronunciation for the genus is ek-e-ve'-ri-a, though ech-e-ver'-i-a seems in more prevalent use in the US. We grew this plant in 2011 and 2012.
This information about Echeveria diffractens displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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