Cotyledon tomentosa

C. tomentosa subsp. tomentosa is instantly recognizable at its hairy leaves

Cotyledon tomentosa forms a small shrub often growing into the surrounding bushes. It can also be found on vertical cliff faces. It has become a very well known succulent who is grown commercially.

It's name is of course derived from the fact that is has very hairy leaves, in fact the whole plant is densely covered in tiny hair: stems flowers, leaves.

However in the past a mixup happened with the names of the two subspecies and the name 'ladismithiensis' was wrongly attached to the main species 'tomentosa'. This error proliferated in magazines and books, so be careful about what you read. Here we use the correct names.

C. tomentosa subsp. tomentosa growing in between Euphorbia enopla near Steytlerville, SA.

Plant shape

C. tomentosa subsp. tomentosa is a small shrubby species with woody stems and many succulent leaves. It grows on poor rocky soil or even on a sheer cliff. They always seem to prefer a half shaded position , not in the full sun.

The leaves are almost spherical, but usually have the upper surface more flat than the lower surface. They are entirely covered by small hairs. The top margin has at least one, but more often 3-5-to several teeth, who are coloured red.

It is the combination of hairs and teeth that gave it the name 'bear paws' or 'bear claws'. The leaves are between 1 and 3cm long.

C. tomentosa subsp. tomentosa flower at Gamkaberg, Little Karoo, SA.
Photo © Kamogelo Solomon Modimola on inaturalist.org

Flowers

The inflorescence is about 10-15cm long, ending in a thyrse with 2-8 flowers.

Calyx and corolla are hairy with a short peduncle. The flowers turn from orange to red during flowering, and also depending on how much sun they receive.

The calyx lobes are green to reddish, elongated triangular, 5mm long.

The corolla tube is more cup shaped and about 1.5cm long. The recurved corolla lobes are about 12mm long. The stamens are not entirely exerted.

Where

C. tomentosa subsp. tomentosa can be found in the little Karoo and east towards Steytlerville. C. tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis is only found in an aerea around and west of Ladismith.

Variability

C. tomentosa has one subspecies. Because of that, the common species is called Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. tomentosa .

C. tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis in my greenhouse.

C. tomentosa subsp. ladismithiensis

This subspecies was described by Tölken in 1977. It grows only on shale outcrops in full sun.

It's leaves are much longer than the subsp. tomentosa. They can reach 12cm and end in a single tooth.

More pics

Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. tomentosa on a sheer cliff in the Baviaanskloof, SA.