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Cotyledon orbiculata 'Hamaji Silver' (Compact Pig's Ear) - A small silver-gray succulent shrub to 12 inches tall with stems branching from the base holding 2 to 3 inch long by 1 1/2-inch-wide green leaves that are covered by a silvery white wax and have thin reddish margins. Orange bell-shaped flowers dangle from flower stalks that rise just above the leaves in mid-summer.
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.
Cotyledon orbiculata 'Hamaji Silver' came to us from famed Aloe breeder John Bleck, who had received it from Wally and Hamaji Higgens, The Higgens were active with John in the Sunset Succulent Society the 1960s and John noted that Hanaji had collected the plant when traveling in South Africa. To honor its origin, we named this plant after her.
The information displayed on this page about Cotyledon orbiculata 'Hamaji Silver' 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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