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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Aizoaceae (Ice Plants) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Orange |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Synonyms: [M. arboriforme] |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): No Irrigation required |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Mestoklema tuberosum - A shrubby "Mesemb" (ice plant relative) to 18-24 inches tall from the arid northern Cape of South Africa and into Namibia. Develops a miniature tree-like habit with a gnarled caudex that has smooth reddish bark and small yellow-orange flowers appear in spring through summer. Plant in full sun or bright shade. Very dry growing, even in a container and cold tolerant to at least the low 20s° F. This plant makes a very showy container plant, especially once the tuberous roots develop. Grow with tuberous roots in soil to develop size, then lift plant and replant with roots exposed. Keep twiggy stems trimmed for best look. There are differing opinions on whether the plants generally found in cultivation are Mestoklema tuberosum or M. arboriforme. Both are described with yellow to orange flowers and the description of these two in Jacobsen is vague enough that it could be either. On the Grigisby Cactus Garden web site it is noted that Mestoklema arboriforme has a reddish bark and forms a caudex such as ours has. However, Aizoaceae guru Steven A Hammer (co-author of Mesmbs of the World) tells us that the nomenclature of the group is a mess and that he believes the two name synonymous with Mestoklema tuberosum being the older and therefore the valid name. We note that this is in contradiction to the late Heidi Hartmann's treatment of the genus in The Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae F-Z (2001). We received our plants from the collection of Alice Waidhofer with tags having both names, but following Steven Hammer's suggestion we list it as Mestoklema tuberosum.
This information about Mestoklema tuberosum 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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