5 Frithia pulchra Seeds - Window Plants, Fairy Elephant`s Feet - Indigenous Succulent Mesemb

Frithia pulchra Seeds

Window Plants, Fairy Elephant's Feet; Bobbejaanvingers, Glasies, Toontjies

Frithia is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, endemic to several small rocky areas in the vicinity of Gauteng Province, South Africa. Like several of its close relatives (e.g. Fenestraria) and other plants in its ecotype (e.g. some species of Haworthia and Bulbine) it has epidermal windows (translucent areas in its leaves) as an adaptation to the difficulties of photosynthesis in its arid environment. Frithia are summer-growing species, as their natural habitat lies in a summer-rainfall region. They grow in very well-drained, sandy soil, with repetitive light watering in summer and a dry environment in winter.

Frithia pulchra or bobbejaanvingers, glasies, toontjies, window plants and, perhaps most appropriately, fairy elephant's feet as it is commonly known, is a window-leaf succulent. They are always very popular as the shape of the leaves is unique and when in flower the magenta petals with lighter centres cover the plant completely. Although this is a miniature and could never become a spectacular garden plant as it would get lost among other larger plants, it is collected by discerning succulent collectors and looks amazing when grown in pots. Frithia pulchra are exceedingly rare as they only grow on a strip only about 200m wide and 150km long along the top of the Magaliesberg mountains, in the North West Province of South Africa. A hiking trail has been named after this plant and anyone visiting the Magaliesberg without seeing this plant in habitat has missed something truly unique.