Origin and Habitat: South Africa, Cape province (western Little Karoo)

• Conophytum piluliforme var. advenum (N.E.Br.) Rawé
• Conophytum advenum N.E.Br.

• Conophytum piluliforme (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br.
• Mesembryanthemum piluliforme N.E.Br.
• Conophytum aggregatum (Haw. ex N.E.Br.) N.E.Br.
• Mesembryanthemum aggregatum Haw. ex N.E.Br.
• Conophytum archeri Lavis
• Conophytum etaylorii Schwantes
• Conophytum leightoniae L. Bolus
• Conophytum piluliforme var. advenum (N.E.Br.) Rawé
• Conophytum advenum N.E.Br.
• Conophytum piluliforme var. brevipetalum (Lavis) Rawé
• Conophytum brevipetalum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br.
• Conophytum subconfusum Tischer

• Conophytum piluliforme subs. edwardii (Schwantes) S.A.Hammer
• Conophytum edwardii Schwantes
• Conophytum rubrum L. Bolus

Description: Conophytum piluliforme var. advenum previously known as a distinct species is one of the innumerable ecotypes of Conophytum piluliforme. It is an outstanding species with tiny spotted bodies without lobes and flowers only 4-8 mm in diameter.
Habit: Plant densely caespitose, forming mats or domes.
Bodies (paired leaves): 5-7 mm tall, 4-6 mm wide, 4-5 cm thick, globose-obconic, fissure compressed and surrounded by a dark line, top surface flat or slightly vaulted and with scalloped margins. smooth. greyish green with a transverse line of dark green or brown spots and some solitary spots above which sometimes merge into lines. The sides often reddish.
Sheath: White or brownish, often spotted, semipersistent.
Flowers Opening at night, 4-5(-8) mm in diameter. opening at night. scented. petals yellowish pink. sometimes coppery red outside.
Blooming season: Flowers appearing in mid-autumn.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
2) Hammer, S. 1993. “The Genus Conophytum - A Conograph.” Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
3) Hammer, S. 2002. “Dumpling and His Wife: New Views of the Genus Conophytum.” East Anglia Engraving Creative Colour Ltd, Norwich, England.
4) Ernst Van Jaarsveld, Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Gideon Smith “Succulents of South Africa: A Guide to the Regional Diversity” Tafelberg Publishers, Limited, 01/lug/2000
5) Heidrun E.K. Hartmann “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Aizoaceae A-E” Springer, 2002
6) Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
7) Gibbs Russell, G. E., W. G. Welman, E. Reitief, K. L. Immelman, G. Germishuizen, B. J. Pienaar, M. v. Wyk & A. Nicholas. “List of species of southern African plants.” Mem. Bot. Surv. S. Africa 1987

Cultivation and Propagation: Conophytum piluliformeSN|27518]]SN|27518]] var. advenum is easy to grow, but like most, it will split and crack if overwatered (unsightly but usually not fatal). These plants grow on winter rain and head for summer dormancy. More or less dormant in summer.
Soil: They prefer a very porous potting mix to increase drainage. You can grow a plant in a 6-8 cm pot for years and have perfectly happy plants. For best results, use a shallow pot.
Repotting: Avoid to repot frequently. This plant may stay in the same pot for many years. Plants grown in larger containers have frequently relatively poor flowers. It might improve when the plants are given their own, small individual pots.
Watering: It requires little water; otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Water throughout the year although minimally in summer, (only occasional misting). Water regularly in winter after the previous year's leaves have dried up. Requires good drainage.
Fertilization: The plants are fertilized only once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the recommended strength.
Exposure: Keep cool and shaded from hot sun in mid-summer; it needs full sun or light shade in the other seasons.
Hardiness: Hardy to -2°C. Ensure a very good ventilation.
Pest & diseases: Conophytums are sensitive to mealybugs.
Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with Conophytums if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much. Care must be given in watering, keeping them warm and wet while growing, and cooler and dry when dormant.
Use: It is an excellent potted plant great for windowsill culture as well as in rock gardens. Indoors only in brightest position.
Propagation: It can be reproduced both by cuttings and seeds. Take the cutting from a grown-up mother plant. Each cutting must contain one or more heads, along with a fraction of root.