This Cheiridopsis meyeri v. minor (MG 1385.9/SB766) is pretty different from the others. In fact, it is strange to me that someone named it Cheiridopsis at all. Maybe my information is outdated?
Firstly, it clearly has type A and type B leaves like those of Mitrophyllum or Monilaria. One pair is scissor like, the other is conjoined at the top to form a round bead. Secondly, it seems to follow a Mitrophyllum-like yearly growing pattern. It grows scissor leaves in the fall, followed by the conjoined round leaves and then, in spring, it slowly dries all leaves and completely sheaths over in summer.
My plants are a bit longish due to lack of light. And, since I realized its growing schedule is different from my other Cheiridopsis way too late, I only stopped watering recently, while I should have done it a couple of months ago if not earlier. For a long while I thought it needed water because it wrinkled, when in fact it was just preparing to sleep. Stupid me.
It is really important to know exactly how our plants are growing to support them accordingly, independent of the name. In this sense, can someone tell me whether this is a Cheiridopsis or not? I'm going to treat it like a Mitrophyllum, or Antimima maybe. I'm sorry I haven't realized it sooner, little planty.
Btw, I'd put Cheiridopsis peculiaris into the same category which should not be related to the common Cheiridopsis in terms of care.
I agree with you, I do not think this is a Cheiridopsis. I have bought plants that were misidentified, too. What this actually is, I do not know!
ReplyDeleteRight? Glad you think so too :)
DeleteAll my online research has shown that these are indeed called Cheiridopsis. If you go to internet archive and see the seed list of Mesa Garden from 2005 the catalog number will indeed show that this is supposed to be a Ch. meyeri v. minor. Everyone just accepts this even though the plant does not behave or look like a Cheiridopsis at all!
1) Different growing cycle: much like Antimima or Conophytums.
2) Different growing pattern: crowling over the ground like a Neohenricia.
3) Type A and type B leaves like a Monilaria.
4) Different leaf texture. Cheiridopsis have velvety leaves with tiny jigs. This plant has leaves that are absolutely smooth like Antimima or Lampranthus
Maybe they were identified as Cheiridopsis initially because of the flowers and seed pods. But this identification is very confusing and frustrating to the grower. It doesn't make much sense to me.