Cotyledon orbiculata

Cotyledon orbiculata is a branched leaf succulent reaching about 1,3 m with inflorescence when growing in the open. Scrambling plants caught up in thicket, particularly in the Eastern Cape, may exceed 2 m in height.

The generic name of the plant, Cotyledon, is derived from the Greek word kotyledon or kotyle meaning cupped, hollowed or cavity. This refers to the positioning of the leaves in the basal rosette, which sometimes appear to form a cup-like structure. The specific name, orbiculata is a Latin word meaning disc-shaped or flat and round, referring to the shape of (some of) the leaves.

Diversified into five recognised varieties and even more forms, the species occurs widespread in all provinces of South Africa, probably not in North West. These red-rimmed leaves with small apical protrusions were photographed in the Little Karoo west of Barrydale.

The habitat of varies from winter rainfall in the west to summer rainfall in the east of the country, the plants growing in variably arid conditions. They cope in different soils among gravel and stones, on flats and slopes, in the open among grass and scrub, or in thicket.

Four of the five varieties have habitat populations deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century. The fifth, var. flanaganii, found in a small part of the Eastern Cape is considered near threatened (Smith, et al, 2017; Frandsen, 2017; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).