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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Orange |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Fall |
| Parentage: (C. orbiculata var. higginsiae?) |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Cotyledon orbiculata 'Silver Peak' (Silver Peek Pig's Ear) - A small succulent shrub 20 inches tall that grows upright with many short branches bearing fleshy gray-white narrow elongated leaves with red margins near the rounded leaf tip. Orange bell-shaped flowers dangle from flower stalks that rise above the foliage in the summer. Best in full coastal sun or light shade with occasional summer watering. Hardy to 25-30 degrees Tolerates coastal conditions and drought. A good container or small specimen plant. Since Cotyledon orbiculata is often found near the coast, it was one of the first plants to draw the attention of early South African explorers and it has been in cultivation in England since 1624. It is a variable species with many varieties and cultivar and this cultivar has narrower and thicker leaves than others we grow. It is also a bit like the cultivar 'Oophyla' (AKA 'Boegoeberg') and but grows more upright and taller in a similar manner to the plant Hermann Jacobsen described as Cotyledon orbiculata var. higginsiae, which he listed as transitional to the very narrow leafed Cotyledon dinteri (now synonymized with Cotyledon orbiculata. We list Cotyledon orbiculata as a poisonous plant as the leaves are described as having a high concentration of glycosides, which it is noted makes them unpalatable. This likely palatability likely has prevented most animals and people from eating them, as there has not been a recorded incident of Cotyledon orbiculata poisonings with humans, however there are cases in California where sheep have died when fed Cotyledon orbiculata. In South Africa, the disease caused by eating these plants is called cotyledonosis, where the plant has poisoned sheep and goats, but rarely other animals. The reason for the name of the genus is a complicated story. The plant, Wall Pennywort or Navelwort, (Umbilicus rupestris) was previously included in the genus and in medieval times and in homeopathic medicine this plant was/is commonly known as Cotyledon so this name stuck with the genus, even though the plant it was named for now is in a different genus. This name originated from the Greek word 'kotyledon' or 'kotyle' meaning "cupped", "hollowed" or "a cavity". The specific epithet is Latin meaning "round and flat" or "disk-shaped" in reference to the typical leaf shape of the species. We found this plant being grown at West Covina Wholesale Nursery under this name.
The information about Cotyledon orbiculata 'Silver Peak' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include 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 we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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