Cotyledon velutina
C. velutina in the Baviaanskloof, SA
Cotyledon velutina is probably the largest Cotyledon and can reach a height of 3m.
It is named after the velvety texture on the leaves which have many small hairs.
C. velutina in the Baviaanskloof, SA
C. velutina leaves do not have a petiole and may have little 'ears' that envelop the stem. Form at Addo Elephant Park, SA.
Photo © Wynand Calitz on inaturalist.org
Plant shape
C. velutina is rather a shrub that grows in thicket in the Eastern Cape.
The leaves are thickly succulent big and can reach a length of 15cm. They are oval in shape and flat. They have a grass green to blueish green colour and may have a reddish top edge. The leaves are 'sitting' (don't have a petiole) and especially the top leaves envelop the stem with small 'ears'.
C. velutina flowers look like ice creams when unopend.
Photo © Nick Helme on inaturalist.org
Flowers
The inflorescence is up to 60cm long and ends in a many branched thyrse. The flowers are hanging straight down. The flowers are usually a combination of yellow and red or can be of one of these colours only.
The calyx lobes are elongated triangular, 3-6mm long, yellow.
The corolla tube is about 1.5cm long while the corollla lobes are an additional 2cm. The lobes are recurved. The stamens are exerted and coloured.
C. velutina flowers are rather large
Photo © Desiree du Prez on inaturalist.org
Variability
C. velutina does not have any described variety.
Where
C. velutina occurs from mainly in the Eastern Cape, SA, but has also been found as far as the Mzinkhulu river valley in southern Kwazulu-Natal.
But as it is a good garden plant, one may find it all over South Africa in gardens.