Orostachys Boehmeri - Chinese Dunce Cap

Dunce s Cap

Family

Crassulaceae

Origin

Japan

Description

Orostachys boehmeri is an attractive small succulent with soft lavender-gray leaves. It typically forms a sempervivum-like basal rosette of thick fleshy oblong lavender gray leaves up to 2" wide open rosettes. Each basal rosette typically matures to 4" tall but spreads outward to 12" wide by offset plantlets which radiate from the leaf axils of the main rosette by thin, stolon-like branchlets. Tiny yellow flowers appear in spikes rising from the rosette to 6" tall. A rosette usually flowers in the second or third year. Each spike is cone-shaped and resembles a dunce's cap, hence the common name. The flowering rosette dies after producing flowers but the younger offsets that have yet to produce flowers remain.

Environment

Easily grown in dry to medium well-drained sandy soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Tolerates drought, but prefers somewhat consistent watering. Avoid wet soils in winter. Plantlets may be removed, rooted in a moist medium and planted in other locations.

Landscape Use

Suitable for Rock garden. Small ground cover. Accent. Containers.

Also see - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObfOZelifIk