Cotyledon orbiculata yellow flowers

Cotyledon orbiculata, the pig’s ear, usually produces red, orange-red or pink flowers. This uncommon yellow flowering form was found during January in the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden at Worcester. Flowering time for this species is mainly winter, although the winter rainfall area sees some summer blooms.

The smooth, succulent, grey leaves with their red margins are typical of the species. There are, however, remarkable variations to be noted in this species. This can be expected from a plant that has breasted such dissimilar natural challenges across most of southern Africa over such a long time. Best survivor solutions in the diverse conditions are reflected in the extant forms and varieties brought about by the struggles, as seen in all today's bewildering offspring. Maybe some of the forms will also be separated into different species in the future. Speciation is a slower process than the rate at which people change their minds about evolution.

There is another yellow flowering Cotyledon, viz. C. cuneata, with shorter flower tubes that are not generally pendulous. It has wedge-shaped leaves and is commonly known as the sticky stem Cotyledon. It was recorded by Jardine and Jardine from the Swartruggens area in Veld and Flora of December 2010 (www.plantzafrica.com).