Adromischus marianae aka Namibian Kaakara

Adromischus marianae is a small succulent in the Crassulaceae family. It comes from South Africa and southwestern Namibia. It grows in rock cracks and beneath shrubs, forming mats. Plants vary greatly in shape and colour across its range. Even plants from the same site can look quite different. Seed details or records of origin can help identify cultivated plants. The older name Cotyledon marianae refers to this same species.

The plant stands about 0.26 feet [0.08 metres] tall. Its short stems creep along the ground or grow upwards. Plants mostly stand upright, though some lie partly down. The roots often swell into tubers. Thick leaves range from narrow and lance-shaped to oval. They measure about 0.07–0.39 feet [0.02–0.12 metres] long. Their colour ranges from grey-green to grey-brown, sometimes with brown spots. The leaves can be nearly round in cross-section. A groove runs along their upper face. Tips may be pointed or blunt, with wedge-shaped leaf bases. Parts of the leaf edge have a hard, horny rim.

The grey-green flower stalk forms a spike-like thyrse. It reaches about 0.33–0.82 feet [0.10–0.25 metres] high. Each small cyme carries one upright flower. Five joined petals form a pale pink or white tube. The white petal lobes have purple edges and curve outwards or back. Small, club-shaped hairs grow mainly inside the flower's throat. A thick bloom coats the flowers. The anthers stay within the tube, and the seeds are tiny.

This species grows fairly fast but needs careful watering. Rot can strike in both summer and winter. Use a mineral potting mix with little organic matter. The mix and pot must drain well. Let the soil dry between thorough waterings. Give less water in winter, without letting the plant shrivel. It also needs dry air. Wild plants receive most rain in spring and autumn. LLIFLE recommends a minimum temperature of 5°C. It reports brief survival at −7°C under dry, well-drained conditions.

Small containers suit this plant, with repotting every two or three years. Avoid an oversized pot, since lingering moisture raises the rot risk. Growers can raise new plants from leaves or stem cuttings. Allow a removed leaf to dry for several days. Then place its base partly into the soil. Keep the old leaf attached until it dries out. Growers seldom use seed propagation.