Frithia pulchra aka Fairy Elephant's Feet

Taxonomy

Genus Frithia Family Aizoaceae Order Caryophyllales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Frithia pulchra, more commonly known as fairy elephant's feet, is a species of flowering plant from the fig-marigold family Aizoaceae native to Gauteng Province, South Africa. Growing at a maximum height of 10 cm (3.9 in) and 20 cm (7.9 in) at its widest length, F. pulchra has bulbous, oblong leaves that feature windows at their tips and produce small, daisy-like magenta and white flowers during the winter months. This small evergreen succulent is able to survive long periods of drought by shrinking underground, although it is very difficult to spot at this time due to its size. For its resilience and beautiful nature, F. pulchra has been granted the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, although it does not survive frosts and needs to be cultivated under glass in temperate areas. This species was named after Frank Frith, a Johannesburg gardener who showed this plant to N.E. Brown, a botanist at Kew Gardens in 1925, its Latin specific epithet pulchra meaning 'beautiful'.

Common names

Fairy Elephant's Feet

How to care for Fairy Elephant's Feet

Difficulty

Fairy Elephant's Feet presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Fairy Elephant's Feet does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Lighting

Fairy Elephant's Feet thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Fairy Elephant's Feet.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Fairy Elephant's Feet is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

More info:
Wikipedia

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