Adromischus maculatus leaves

Leaf colour variability of Adromischus maculatus is high, enhanced by rain and seasonal temperature changes. It is known in Afrikaans as the bontplakkie (multicoloured little plaque or tablet). The colour variations the plant is capable of include these whitish grey ones on which green is restricted to the scattered leaf blotches.

The smaller leaves in picture have olive brown or red markings, notably uneven in distribution upon the leaf surfaces. The larger leaves have developed pronounced tapering towards the base in a paddle shape of the leaves, some with small, pointed tip. All the blades are flat, but thickly succulent.

Adromischus plants resemble some Tylecodon species, another genus within the Crassulaceae family, but their leaves do not die back during the summer heat. This plant was photographed at Caledon around the southwestern extreme of the species distribution (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984).