Antimima pygmaeais the most remarkable and interestingspeciesof thegenus . It was first describe asMesembryanthemum pygmaeumbyAdrian Hardy Haworthin 1819.Heidrun Hartmanngave it its current name in 1998
Antimima pygmaea(Haw . ) H.E.K.Hartmann
Pygmy Matfig
In habitat, Central Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa. Derivative of a photo byChristiaan Viljoen. Licensed underCC BY 4.0.
Mesembryanthemum pygmaeum , Ruschia pygmaea
Family : AizoaceaeSubfamily : RuschioideaeTribe : RuschieaeGenus : Antimima
The specific epithet " pygmaea " ( pronounced " POO - cc - uh " ) means " of or touch on to a pigmy or dwarf ; poor ; of reduced stature " and touch to the size of this species , which is one of the smallest .
In habitat, Matjiesfontein, Western Cape, South Africa. Derivative of a photo byMarion Maclean. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Antimima pygmaeais aboriginal toSouth Africa . It mature in shale or tillite outcropping on flats from Worcester to Matjiesfontein in Western Cape province .
Antimima pygmaeais a succulentshrubletthat is more visually appealing duringdormancythan when actively growing . It can reach a diam of 6 inches ( 15 cm ) and forge a dumb mat of leaf pairs in two decided form . This industrial plant bring about only two pairs of parting each year on each branch . The first pair is commingle almost to the tips , creating a conical body that dries into a white sheath around the new pair of free , widely spreading leaves .
During the winter , Antimima pygmaeaproducessolitaryflowers onpedicelsraised well above the plant bodies . The blossom can reach a diameter of 0.7 inch ( 1.8 centimetre ) . The fruit are 6 - locular capsules .
In habitat, Droogvoetsfontein, Western Cape, South Africa. Derivative of a photo byMarinda. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Light : Antimima pygmaearequires bright light but not too much verbatim sunlight . So , a windowsill that receives 4 to 5 hours of direct sun in the sunrise and fond shade in the good afternoon will be a perfect spot for indoor growing .
Soil : The works thrives in holey soil , allowing the piddle to drain away apace . Therefore , use commercial soil for succulent ormake your own well - draining premix .
Temperature : High temperature are not a problem as long as there is plenty of fresh breeze , but this plant life is not cold - brave . It develop best inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones9b to 11b , with average minimal winter temperatures ranging from 25 ° F to 50 ° F ( -3.9 ° coulomb to 10 ° atomic number 6 ) .
In habitat, Droogvoetsfontein, Western Cape, South Africa. Derivative of a photo byMarinda. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Watering : When , how much , and how often to water is crucial to keepAntimima pygmaeahealthy . During its dormant period , typically in the summertime , it requires minimal or no watering . From fall to leap , H2O it thoroughly but permit the filth to dry between waterings .
Fertilizing : As long as you repot this plant every two age , it does not demand fertilizer .
Repotting : Even if your plant can outride happy in the same pot for years , you’re able to repot it occasionally to give it more blank anytime during the growing season . However , the undecomposed clock time is at the start of the develop season .
Propagation : One way of life to propagate this plant is by stem cuttings during the mature season . Another pick is to start it from seeds by sow them in well - draining soil during the fall .
hear more atHow to Grow and manage for Mesembs .
Antimima pygmaeais weigh non - toxic and safe around kids and deary .
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