Accepted Scientific Name: Anacampseros filamentosa subs. namaquensis (H.Pearson & Stephens) G.D.Rowley
Bradleya 12: 110 1994
Anacampseros namaquensis (Anacampseros filamentosa subs. namaquensis) Photo by: Frikkie Hall
Origin and Habitat: Namibia and Republic of South Africa. Cape Province: Little Namaqualand: Richtersveld, north of Modderfontein; Kenhardt Division and southwards to the Tanqua Karoo (S.W. Africa): Great Karas Mt.; high plateau between Wasserfall and Krai Kluft.
Habitat and ecology: Anacampseros filamentosaSN|26902]]SN|26902]] subs. namaquensis grows in rock crack in steep slopes, cliffs and bare rock faces where is a frequent associate of Tylecodon buchholzianusSN|12173]]SN|12173]], Conophytum saxetanumSN|22686]]SN|22686]] and other succulent mesembs. This species is camouflaged down to minutest detail and at the first glance quite similar to the background and always difficult to find in habitat if not blooming.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Anacampseros filamentosa
Common Names include:
CHINESE (中文): 白罗汉
Description: Anacampseros filamentosaSN|26902]]SN|26902]] subs. namaquensis (H.Pearson & Stephens) G.D.Rowley (syn: Anacampseros namaquensisSN|26902]]SN|26909]], Anacampseros altaSN|26902]]SN|26911]], Anacampseros poellnitzianaSN|26912]]SN|26912]] ) is a more or less distinct subspecies of the wide ranging and variable Anacampseros filamentosaSN|26911]]SN|26902]]. The subsp. namaquensis is recognised by Gerbaulet on the only distinction of having bristles shorter than the leaves, whereas in subsp. filamentosa they are longer than the leaves. However the key differences by which the two were separated, are controversial. Considering its great range and its extensive synonomy, the A. filamentosa-complex should be fully investigated in the field; if there are substantial differences (particularly regarding the Namibian component) they have not yet been confidently stated and subspecies are not included in the Gerbaulet (1992) key to the species.
It is also noted that the sepals of subsp. namaquensis are recorded as being 6 mm long and with green stripes and longer than the petals, this character was used by Von Poellnitz (1933) in his key to distinguish the species.
Habit: Anacampseros filamentosaSN|26909]]SN|26902]] subs. namaquensis is a small, much-branched and densely-leaved succulent, the small leaves ovate to round, often with truncated tips, and with numerous bristles shorter than the leaves.
Branches: About 12 cm high.
Leaves: 4-5 mm long and broad, obovate-spherical to wedge-shaped, gibbose on the reverse, covered with white hair-felt. Bristle-hairs between the leaves less than 6 mm long, yellowish.
Inflorescence: The inflorescence is about 80 mm high with up to 5 flowers, 10-30 mm across, petals pink.
For more details see: Anacampseros filamentosaSN|26902]]SN|26902]]
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01 June 2000
2) Dinteria, Edizioni 21-28 S.W.A. Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft., 1991
3) Hermann Jacobsen “Abromeitiella to Euphorbia” Blandford Press, 1960
4) Gerbaulet, M. “Die Gattung Anacampseros L. (Portulacaceae)” 1. Untersuchungen zur Systematik. Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik 113:477-564. 1992
5) von Poellnitz, K., “Anacampseros L.”: Versuch einer Monographic, Botanische Jahrbücher 65: 382–448, 1933
6) Rowley, G.D. “Anacampseros and allied genera - a reassessment.” Bradleya 12:105-112. 1994.
7) von Staden, L. 2008. “Anacampseros namaquensis H.Pearson & Stephens.” National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2015.1. Accessed on 2016/05/14
Cultivation and Propagation: Anacampseros filamentosa subs. namaquensis is quite resistant to cultivation. The only things that can kill this plant are cold and overwatering. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to provide adequate growing conditions in order to obtain compact plant with many flowers.
Growth rate: Slow growing to start but does well under cultivation. They need to be moderately large (about 20 cm in diameter) before they flower.
Soils: Use a an open and free draining mineral compost with little organic matter (peat, humus) that allows therefore roots to breath (as it is rot prone). Outdoors a well-draining rocky or sandy soil is ideal.
Repotting: Repot anacampseros once a year in order to evaluate the health of the plant and provide a larger growing space being careful not to damage the sensitive roots.
Watering: It likes a winter's rest and should be kept completely dry during the winter months. From early spring onwards the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late spring when the plant should be in full growth. Water regularly during the aestival growth cycle so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water (this plant need plenty of water) But needs to be avoided wetting the bodies of these plants while they are in sunlight. A wet plant in the sun light can cause sun burning which can lead to scars or even fungal infections and death. From late summer watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by autumn you should be back in to the winter watering regime. Keep dry with ample airflow in winter (but for outdoors cultivation it is somewhat resistant to wet conditions, too if grown in very draining substrata). In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! Care must be taken with watering as they tends to become swollen and untidy in growth habit if given too much water and shade.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer during the growing season diluted to one-fourth potency and mix into the watering can for application.
Hardiness: Keep dry at 5- 10° C in winter, but can tolerate sporadic light frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather. Pots may be placed outdoors during the summer months, but must be moved indoors during the winter. USDA zones 9-11
Exposition: The plant tolerates bright situations, if kept too dark they may become overly lush and greener and could be prone to rotting due to over watering. Strong but filtered light encourages flowering, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer. .
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame. It do well outdoors in raised beds, rock gardens and terraces as well. The slowly creeping stems cluster freely to form mats as a small area ground cover. This tiny plant also makes an excellent potted windowsill plant.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, watch carefully for any significant decline in health. This may signal a pest problem that should be dealt with quickly in order to prevent scarring, stunting and even death.
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by watering or misting the plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new growth among the leaves with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects. Eliminate mealybug infestations by dabbing the critters with cotton swabs dipped in alcohol or by soaking the succulent roots in a systemic insecticide.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: This species is particularly easy and accommodating, seldom suffer of cryptogamic diseases. Rot it is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: it is easy to propagate either through stem cuttings or seed.
Anacampseros filamentosa (Haw.) Sims: (subsp. filamentosa) has the South African distribution is much-branched and densely-leaved, the small leaves ovate to round, often with truncated tips, and covered with white threads, bristles numerous.
