#nananthus

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Nananthus pallens

Nananthus is a small genus of dwarf succulents in the Ice Plant Family (Aizoaceae), native to the central part of South Africa. The genus is related to Aloinopsis and Titanopsis, and hybrids are sometimes made between plants in these groups. Nananthus pallens is notable for its blue-green leaves covered with “goose bumps”, and its yellow flowers in fall make a great addition.

-Brian

[morphons]

Nananthus aloides.  February 2022. 

[morphons]

Nananthus aloides and other mesembs. December 2020.

[morphons]

Acrodon bellidiflorus (syn. Ruschia macrocarpa) and other mesembs.  October 2020. 

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Nananthus margaritiferus

Nananthus is a genus of dwarf succulents in the Ice Plant Family (Aizoaceae), native to arid interior regions of South Africa and neighboring countries. This one is Nananthus margaritiferus, whose leaves are peppered with little white bumps.

-Brian

[morphons]

Nananthus aloides seed pod open after watering.  August 2019.

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Aloinopsis spathulata x Nananthus

Nananthus and Aloinopsis are two related genera in the Ice Plant Family (Aizoaceae), both native to dry areas in the central part of South Africa, where summers are hot and winters are cold. This little clumper is a hybrid, with its leaves looking much like a Nananthus, while sporting a flower color no Nananthus has (they all have yellow flowers). The other half of its parentage is Aloinopsis spathulata, with vivid rose-pink flowers, and when this combines with the yellow of a Nananthus flower, one can get various orange and red-orange hues which would not be seen in any species of either genus. The little “goose-bumps” on the leaves are an added bonus. Though neither of its parents are from a winter-rainfall area, this plant does fine in the Ruth Bancroft Garden’s Mediterranean climate if given excellent drainage and full sun.

-Brian

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Nananthus pallens

Nananthus is a genus of dwarf plants in the Ice Plant Family (Aizoaceae), native to inland areas of central South Africa. Nananthus pallens is seldom encountered in cultivation, but it has delightful yellow flowers with a red stripe down the middle of each petal. The plant in the photo is in a greenhouse, so the color is not as intense as it would be outside, and the “red stripe” isn’t very red. The species comes from the north-central part of the country, where the rainfall is mostly in summer. However, we hope that it will still manage to grow outdoors in our winter-rainfall climate, providing we give it excellent drainage.

-Brian