August 2014 - Genus of the Month - Adromischus

[Bill]

http://www.bcss.org.uk/pom082014.php

[Apicra]

Yes, Adromischus has much to offer. With 28 species, all are reasonably sized for pot cultivation. Adro cooperi is one of the best - but there are a few "best left in habitat". Their best feature is ease of propagation via rooted leaves.

Best wishes,
Derek Tribble

[ChrisR]

Poor old Adros.....no photos yet!

LIke me, Aprica especially, must have loads - so I'll make a start with a couple of photos I took ages ago.

This form of marianiae 'Bryan Makin' was collected by Steven Hammer on Anenousberg. Quite easy to grow.

This is a particularly distinct form of marianiae 'kubusensis' from the Dolomite mountains, deep in the Richtersveld. Unfortuatelty, not easy to cultivate in my experience.

[rodsmith]

Here's one:

Adromischus cooperi (detail)

[ChrisR]

This is a lovely form of A.schuldtianus from near Klein Karas in Namibia.

[ChrisR]

Here's a few photos of Adro triflorus in habitat that I think show the variation within a population very well.

These first two were growing just a few metres apart at Meiringspoort

Theses two were keeping each other company on Grootkop near Oudtshoorn

[Apicra]

Lovely plants, Chris! I'm still puzzled by those last two and may get an opportunity to investigate that area further. Any further thoughts about how these narrow leaved forms can live mixed up in a normal population of A. triflorus? Other people have noticed these: http://www.ispot.org.za/node/207543

Best wishes,
DT

[Jim_Mercer]

Adromischus marianiae "hallii"

Adromischus maculatus ISI 1377

Adromischus maculatus ISI 1377

[ChrisR]

Your ISI plant was mis-identified Jim....it's actually a form of alstonii and not even in the same section or geographical distribution as maculatus.

Any further thoughts about how these narrow leaved forms can live mixed up in a normal population of A. triflorus? Other people have noticed these: http://www.ispot.org.za/node/207543

It's a good few years since we were there Derek.....if I recall correctly these smaller leaved plants seemed to be a seperate population from the larger triflorus nearby - and I don't remember seeing any intermediates. A puzzle worth investigating further.

[Lindsey]

Yes, it's a good Adromischus year here too, several have flowered for the first time, lots of buds. Fantastic white farina on the inflorescences of A.leucophyllus (still in bud, no flowers open yet ) and A.subviridis, the "easy" form.

there are a few "best left in habitat"

Which would those be, in your opinion? Just wondering.

Their best feature is ease of propagation via rooted leaves

Yes indeed, though these days I take stem cuttings where possible.... it's always quicker than growing them from leaves!

When I've seen talks on s.African habitat plants, at BCSS Branch meetings or MSG Events, I've enjoyed trying to identify any plants in the picture - keeping my thoughts to myself so as not to display my ignorance - but Adros are guaranteed to confuse, they all look wrinkled and brown in habitat