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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Asteraceae (Sunflowers) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Fall |
| Synonyms: [Curio archeri, Senecio toxotis] |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Senecio archeri (Archer's Senecio) - A low small growing succulent that spreads by rhizomes with unusual short flat lanceolate leaves that are held near the top of short stems that are often erect, but with age lay over and snake about on the ground. The leaves are a blue-green color and covered with a gray waxy coating and have parallel translucent lines on each side of the leaf blade. The small whitish-yellow rayless brush-like flower heads rise up on short erect stalks in fall. Plant in full to part sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally to very little. Has proven hardy to around 28° F and likely is tolerant to temperatures below this. This is an interesting gray groundcover that has unique foliage but otherwise is fairly similar to the other groundcover Senecio. This species comes from the winter rainfall south-western parts of the Western Cape Province, South Africa where it occurs in rocky areas. It is closely related to Curio citriformis, which occurs in the Little Karoo to the north, as well as to Curio crassulifolius and Curio repens (syn. Senecio serpens). The genus name Curio means "to lean" in reference to several related species with a leaning or decumbent habit. The specific epithet honors the Australian botanist and botanical illustrator Willian Archer. This plant has previously been called Senecio toxotis and it can still be found in some references under this name. This epithet reportedly comes from the plant having toxic properties and it has also been erroneously mislabeled by European nurseries as Senecio aizoides. We thank John Bleck for sharing this plant with us.
Information displayed on this page about Senecio archeri is based on the research conducted about it in our library and from reliable online resources. We also note those observations we have made of this plant as it grows in the nursery's garden and in other gardens, as well how crops have performed in our nursery field. We will incorporate comments we receive from others, and welcome to hear from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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