Adromischus filicaulis

Adromischus filicaulis is a small succulent in the Crassulaceae family. Its Afrikaans common name is Brosplakkies. Kew places its native range from Namibia to the Cape. LLIFLE records it from Richtersveld south to the Knersvlakte. It grows in deserts and dry shrubland. Wild plants live on low hills among other succulents. They grow on granite that sheds thin layers of rock. These sites receive full sun.

This perennial forms a low subshrub with thick, long stems. The stems stand upright or lie along the ground. They can reach 1.15 feet [0.35 metres] in length. Its roots are fibrous, while stilt roots occur only rarely. The leaves vary a great deal in shape and colour. Some are flat; others look like spindles or narrow cylinders. Young plants may have flat leaves that grow rounder with age. Leaves measure about 0.07–0.26 feet [0.02–0.08 metres] long. Their colour ranges from grey-green to grey-brown. Some have dark spots, rust-toned marks, or coloured edges. The leaf surface can have a sheen.

Flower spikes rise about 0.66–1.15 feet [0.20–0.35 metres]. Each small flower has a yellow-green tube with pink tones. The broad, triangular lobes are white or pale yellow. They may also show shades of pink or deep red. The anthers extend beyond the flower tube. The supplied sources give no flowering season or fruit details. LLIFLE gives conflicting accounts of growth speed, so its pace remains unclear.

This plant needs a mineral growing mix with little organic matter. Water must drain away freely to limit the risk of rot. Let the mix dry before the next thorough watering. Reduce water in winter, but avoid severe leaf shrivelling. LLIFLE also calls for dry air and small, well-drained pots. It suggests repotting every two or three years. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 9–10. LLIFLE recommends keeping temperatures at or above 5°C. It reports brief survival at −7°C when plants stay dry.

Rot makes this a demanding plant to grow in pots. It can strike during both summer and winter. LLIFLE says the species remains scarce in cultivation. Leaf and stem cuttings offer ways to raise new plants. Let a detached leaf dry for a few days before planting. Keep the old leaf attached until it dries out. The evidence gives no basis for claims about food use or toxicity.