Origin and Habitat: Great Namaqualand. South Africa.

• Dracophilus delaetianum (Dinter) Dinter & Schwantes
• Mesembryanthemum delaetianum Dinter

Description: Dracophilus delaetianumSN|25070]]SN|25070]] is a compact, dwarf perennials succulent forming dense, low clumps, up to about 5 cm high. The lavender flowers are very fragrant and quite attractive against the dense clumps of grey-green leaves. Closely related with Juttadinteria and sometimes united with it. It can readily be pollinated by Juttadinteria.
Leaves: In rosettes, opposite (paired) arranged alternately along the stems, smooth, three-angled, united at bases, 1,5-2,5 mm long and 15 mm broad, flattish above, grey-green, slightly toothed on margins.
Flowers: Showy, terminal, solitary, broad-petaled, pink up to 30 mm in diameter, opening at twilight well into night, honey-scented. Sepals 5 ( Juttadinteria has 4), nearly equal, obtuse. Petals, free, nearly as long as sepals, with reflexed tips. Stamens collected in a central cone.
Blooming season: Flowering all year round.
Fruit: Locular capsule with covering membranes of Titanopsis type.
Seeds: Pear-shaped, greyish brown.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Steven A. Hammer “Dumpling and his wife: new views of the genus Conophytum” EAE Creative Colour Ltd., 2002
2) Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: “Der große Zander.” Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
3) Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS “A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants.” Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
4) George Gilbert Green “Cacti and succulents” Pitman Pub. Corp., 1953
5) Ed Storms “Growing the mesembs” Tarrant Printing, 1976
6) Nicholas Edward Brown, A. Tischer, M. C. Karsten “Mesembryanthema; Descriptions: With Chapters on Cultivation and General Ecology” L. Reeve, 1931
7) Gibbs Russell, G. E., W. G. Welman, E. Reitief, K. L. Immelman, G. Germishuizen, B. J. Pienaar, M. v. Wyk & A. Nicholas. 1987. “List of species of southern African plants.” Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa 2(1–2): 1–152(pt. 1), 1–270(pt. 2).

Cultivation and Propagation: Dracophilus delaetianum is a "winter" grower which are most active from late winter until later spring and heading for summer dormancy, but in favourable growing conditions it keeps going over the summer too and doesn't need particular care. Dracophilus seems to prefer a fairly dry rest in summer but flowers profusely whenever watered, especially Dracophilus delaetianus. It is relatively easy to grow.
Soil: Requires good drainage as it it is prone to root rot. It can grows outdoor in sunny, dry, rock crevices (protection against winter wet is required) It can also be cultivated in alpine house, in poor, drained soil.
Fertilization: Feed it once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus succulents (poor in nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. It thrives in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Watering: Water minimally in summer, only when the plant starts shrivelling, water more abundantly when they are growing in the autumn and spring, but let the soil dry between soaking. Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). If grown in a container, bottom watering by immersing the container is recommended. It must have very dry atmosphere.
Light: It needs a bright sunny or light shade exposure in winter, but keep cool and shaded in summer.
Hardiness: It prefer a very bright situation and require a minimum temperature 5°C (But will take a light frost and is hardy down to -7° C for short periods if it is in dry soil). USDA zones 9A-11.
Uses: Container, rock garden.
Pests and diseases: It is vulnerable to mealybugs and rarely scale.
Propagation: Seed in spring or (or rarely) cuttings. To make a cutting twist off a rosette with at least a part of stem and permit it to dry out a couple of days, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward. It is relatively difficult to root Dracophilus from cuttings and generally pointless as well, so quick are they from seed.