Trichodiadema bulbosum Seeds - South African Indigenous Succulent - Combined Shipping

Trichodiadema bulbosum Seeds

African Bonsai

The genus Trichodiadema, comprised of around thirty species, is found in southern Namibia and in the Northern, Western, and Eastern Cape Provinces in South Africa. The small shrubby plants are characterized by the ‘diadems’ of small radiating hairs at the leaf tips. In addition, many species possess a caudiciform base or tuberous roots. They flower from winter to late spring and normally after good rains. The plants are easy to grow and prefer full sun and need adequate water during the blooming season. Trichodiadema bulbosum, commonly known as African Bonsai comes from the Cape Province of Africa. It is a caudiciform and is an Ice Plant relative. It has a very thick, carrot-like caudex which develops with age. Small bright green to gray-green leaves covered with a crown of soft white hairs form on long stems that branch heavily to form a low rounded shrub. From spring to autumn, Trichodiadema bulbosum puts on a showy display of bright pink flowers with yellow-green centers. Trichodiadema bulbosum is an excellent and unusual container plant, well-suited to a bonsai style presentation — especially when foliage is cleared away to expose the attractive caudex root. Trichodiadema bulbosum also makes an appealing trimmed specimen plant in a rock, cactus or succulent garden. Left on its own, Trichodiadema bulbosum will become a small-scale ground cover. Roots of Trichodiadema species have been used for speeding the fermentation of bread, beer, etc. They likely contain either yeast or sugars which increases the rate of fermentation.