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Cotyledon orbiculata 'Huisrivier Pass' (Huis River Pig's Ear) - A small succulent plant to 6 to 8 inches tall with 4-inch-long gray leaves that have a thin strong red margin near the tips and umbels of pendant orange flowers on a spike rising to 3 to 4 feet tall. While we have yet to see this plant flower in cultivation it likely will bloom in late winter to early spring when other Cotyledon orbiculata flower.
Best in full coastal sun or light shade with occasional summer watering. Cold hardy to 25-30 degrees and tolerating coastal conditions and drought. A good garden or container plant. Although there has not been a recorded incident of Cotyledon orbiculata 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 species Cotyledon orbiculata is widespread throughout South Africa where it is most often found on rocky outcrops within grasslands, the shrubby fynbos and semidesert regions. The reason for the name chosen 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 commonly known as Cotyledon, so this name stuck with the genus, even though the plant it was named for did not. The name for the genus 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.
Our plants of this variety were originally grown by us from seed collected by Carl Schoenfeld of Yuccado Nursery at Huis River Pass (or Huisrivier Pass as it is written in Afrikaner) east of Calitzdorp in West Cape, South Africa. Carl described the collection area as dry rocky soil in an arid to semi-arid region rich in succulents and small shrubs. Habit photos courtesy of Yucca Do Nursery. We grew and sold this plant from 2003 to 2007.
The information displayed on this page about Cotyledon orbiculata 'Huisrivier Pass' is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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