Cotyledon petiolaris
C. petiolaris. Photo © pza.sanbi.org
Cotyledon petiolaris is a medium sized plant up to 40cm distinghuished by it's short leaf petioles, hence its name. Only one other Cotyledon has petioles (C. nielsii) , all other species lack them .
It may be confused with C. velutina but has different flowers.
C. petiolaris leaves are leathery
Photo © pza.sanbi.org
Plant shape
C. petiolaris is an ascending small shrub.
The leaves are oval and flat in shape. They have a green colour that later on becomes more grey. They have a petiole of max 1cm. The leaves are leathery in texture and hairy on top. They end in a sharp hard tip and may have a reddish margin.
C. petiolaris flowers.
Photo © pza.sanbi.org
Flowers
The inflorescence is erect and up to 20cm long and ends in a branched thyrse. The flowers are hanging straight down. The flowers are orange-red with a pale green-yellow base
The calyx lobes are small triangular, 2mm long, yellow.
The corolla tube is about 1.5cm long while the corollla lobes are an additional 1.5cm. The lobes are recurved. The colour is orange-red.
Variability
C. petiolaris does not have any described variety.
Where
C. petiolaris occurs in the Eastern Cape, SA, in several river valleys from Port Alfred northwards to Mtata.
It is found on rocky cliffs along these rivers.