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Cotyledon orbiculata 'Silver Dollars' (Platter Pig's Ear) - A succulent shrub to 1-2 feet tall that grows with thick upright stems terminating in slightly upturned 4 to 6 inch long by 3 to 4 inch wide powdery gray white leaves. Orange bell-shaped flowers dangle from flower stalks that rise above the foliage in the summer.
Best in full coastal sun or light shade in a well-draining soil with occasional summer watering. Cold hardy to 25-30 degrees and tolerates coastal conditions and drought. A good container or groundcover 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.
This form of Cotyledon orbiculata is one often called Cotyledon orbiculata var. orbiculata and this particularly attractive cultivar of it was one given to us by Aloe breeder and succulent plant expert John Bleck. It has grayish white colored leaves like Cotyledon orbiculata 'White Platter', but differs in having smaller leaves and being more upright growing.
The information displayed on this page about Cotyledon orbiculata 'Silver Dollars' 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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