Calibanus hookeri
Mexican boulder | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Division: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | |
Species: | C. hookeri
|
Binomial name | |
Calibanus hookeri | |
Synonyms[1] | |
|
One of only two species in its genus, Calibanus hookeri is a member of the Asparagaceae family native to Tamaulipas in Mexico, which can easily be mistaken in habitat for a boulder overgrown with grass tufts.
Description
C. hookeri forms a large caudex which has been known to reach diameters and heights of up to 2.6 feet. Atop the caudex sprouts extremely narrow greyish-green leaves that look like grass. Each leaf rosette grown from the caudex is believed to be a vegetatively produced independent plant which dies after fruiting to be replaced by a new one. Flower stalks grow to 2-3.3 feet tall with many branchings and bear tiny, greenish white flowers.
Cultivation
C. hookeri likes full sunlight and well drained and fertilized soils. Should be grown in a large and shallow container and should be kept outside in summer.
References
- The Complete Encyclopedia of Succulents by Zdenek Jezek and Libor Kunte.