Pseudolithos migiurtinus Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Probably the most popular species of the genus in cultivation, it needs
protection from cold and damp, but doesn’t like to get bone dry, even in winter.
Origin and Habitat: From the North East of Somalia
Habitat: This plant has been found in grit in a dry tropical environment with lots of sun. These plants, like most of the succulent milkweeds (stapeliads), are generally fly pollinated, and conveniently smell like rotten meat or some type of manure.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Pseudolithos migiurtinus
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Pseudolithos migiurtinus (Chiov.) P.R.O.BallyNatl. Cact. Succ. J. 30(2): 31 (1975)Synonymy: 5
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Common Names include:
CHINESE (中文): 常見的凝蹄玉, 擬蹄玉
JAPANESE (日本語): プセウドリトス・ミギウルティヌス
Description: Habit: Usually single stemmed. Quite variable in shape, colour and size.
Stem: Up to six centimetres in diameter and eight centimetres in height (an old plant in cultivation may achieve a bigger size) The stem is oval and tuberculate, but some plants have an evident four-sided figure form. The colours vary from light green (in shaded environments) to clear olive/grey/green (in half sun) or reddish-brown (in full sun).
Roots: Fibrous.
Flower: The cluster of flowers is fly pollinated and smells like rotten meat. The flowers are dark red and about 5/7 mm across.
Fruit: Seed pods contain about 15-20 seeds each.
Phenology: Blossoming time: mainly during the end of the summer on the bottom side of the plants, but it is not strange to see some flowers almost year round in a heated greenhouse.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Pseudolithos migiurtinus group
- Pseudolithos eylensis: has a more monstrous and irregular squat form. Distribution: Town of Eyl (or Eil) in the North East of Somalia.
- Pseudolithos migiurtinus (Chiov.) P.R.O.Bally: has a warty, usually single stem, ± oval but variable in shape, colour and size and often four-sided. Flowers dark red 5/7 mm across. Distribution: North East of Somalia
Notes: This plant has been successfully crossed with diverse Pseudolithos species and other Asclepiadaceae too. These hybridizations give rise to some very interesting cultivars.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Dicotyledons” Springer Science & Business Media, 2002
2) Hermann Jacobsen “A handbook of succulent plants: descriptions, synonyms, and cultural details for succulents other than Cactaceae” Blandford Press, 1960” Timber Press, 18/May/1999
3) Focke Albers, Ulrich Meve “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Asclepiadaceae: Asclepiadaceae” Volume 4 Springer Science & Business Media, 2002
Pseudolithos migiurtinus Photo by: Flavio Agrosi Pseudolithos migiurtinus Photo by: Gennaro Re Pseudolithos migiurtinus Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Pseudolithos migiurtinus Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Pseudolithos migiurtinus Photo by: Cactus Art Pseudolithos migiurtinus Photo by: Gennaro Re Seedling Photo by: Giuseppe Distefano Pseudolithos migiurtinus Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Cultivation and Propagation: Relatively easy to grow, but mistakes are costly. If rot sets in, there is practically no time, nor warning, before the plant turns to expensive mush.
It needs regular watering, especially during the hottest summer days; provide also some light watering if the green house temperatures in winter are elevated. Either excessive or very scarce watering can induce rot.
Frost Tolerance: Winter temperatures must be kept over 10° C. (But it can withstand winter night-time temperatures down to about 5°).
Sun Exposure: It has a great advantage if grown in very strong light, but sheltered from full sun.
Cultural Practices: Provide very good ventilation. It grows quite easily and fast on its own roots. It is not difficult as commonly supposed, but inaccuracies are fatal. If rot starts, the plant will almost inevitably die. This plant is a candidate for under-potting, as long as you keep it watered.
Propagation: Seeds are the only way of reproducing.
Your Photos
by Cactus Art
by Valentino Vallicelli
by Valentino Vallicelli
by Cactus Art
by Cactus Art