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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Winter/Spring |
| Synonyms: [Cotyledon macrantha] |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga 'Macrantha' - A shruby succulent to 2-3 feet tall with a stout trunk that holds many branches of rounded fleshy pale green leaves that are edged with red. The showy red flowers bloom on stiff stalk above the foliage in winter-spring. This succulent will take light shade or full coastal sun and has low water needs. . 20-25 degrees F. We have long grown this plant simply as Cotyledon macrantha but note that the correct name for this plant is Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga 'Macrantha'. Although there has not been a recorded incident of this plant being poisonous to humans there have been cases in California where sheep have died when fed Cotyledon orbiculata. In South Africa, the disease caused by eating these plants, called cotyledonosis, has poisoned sheep and goats but rarely other animals. The meat of animals killed by cotyledonosis also remains toxic. The reason for this name for the genus is a complicated story. The plant, Wall Pennywort or Navelwort, (Umbilicus rupestris) was previously included in the genus. 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 did not. The 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.
The information about Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga 'Macrantha' 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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