Lithops, The Plants That Look Like Rocks! (Day 2 In Sweden)
Day 2 of my holidays in Sweden, Uppsala and in today's post I will show you guys two weird plants I came across today in the local botanical garden:
As you can see in the labels, the one up is scientifically described as Lithops hookeri and the one down is Lithops marmorata. This is actually the first time I hear and see plants of the Lithops genus!
The name "Lithops" is derived from the greek words λίθος (lithos) for "stone" and όψη (opsi) for "face", a clear reference to the stone-like appearance of these plants. This is also why they are commonly known as pebble plants or living stones!
They are succulent plants, native to southern Africa and as you would expect, their appearance helps them to avoid being eaten by animals by blending in with surrounding rocks. They blend so well with the environment that even today we keep discovering new species, like L. coleorum in 1994, L. hermetica in 2000, and L. amicorum in 2006.
But what's really interesting about them is how they receive the light to be photosynthesized:
The leaves of Lithops are mostly buried below the surface of the soil, with a partially or completely translucent top surface known as a leaf window which allows light to enter the interior of the leaves for photosynthesis. [source]
After some quick researching, I found they are actually quite easy to grow so I will definitely add them in my list of "unusual plants that I plan to grow". Here's a link to amazon if my post got you interested and you would like to start some plants from seeds like I will. And here's a link to a how to grow guide with more info on the plants on all the basics you need to know about them.
Unfortunately, I managed to only see a very small part of the Botanical Garden today since it was getting late and we spend most of the day visiting the other local sights. But tomorrow we are going back again to see the rest of it so hopefully by tomorrow I will have more weird plants to share :D
Lithops salicola with flowers (credit)
Very nice (this is a test comment)
Reported to steemcleaners!
I knew I could count on you :)
Ooh, no, I've been scooped xD I was thinking about doing a Lithops post since I had a collection of them and I find them fascinating (also, they look really unusual, especially while flowering). However, I think this post suits the topics of your blog much better ;-)
Manowar and Lithops, now that's an eclectic combination, by the way!
Hmmm.... yes and no. On one hand, yes, they do not require a lot of maintenance since they pretty much take care of themselves. However, it often happens that they just die for no apparent reason even if you have been looking after them (they are very sensitive to overwatering as well).
Also, they require a lot of light, otherwise they start to get elongated and distorted (more like the one in the first picture), however in Greece this will probably not be a problem!
Damn I felt so special when I saw them it seems everyone knows about these plants except me 😂😂😂😂😂 I would love to see a post about them from you. One question. How long it takes from seed to fllower?
Hi @trumpman, just saw another plant that you might be interested in discussing (it's a shame we are past Halloween because this one is scary!):
http://www.odditycentral.com/news/terrifying-fungus-kills-insects-by-taking-control-of-their-muscles-but-leaving-their-brains-intact.html
Already blogged about it hehehe
https://steemit.com/ants/@trumpman/ophiocordyceps-unilateralis-the-fungi-that-turns-ants-into-zombie-slaves
So you have... I will have to dig up something even stranger.
Those plants are so cool! I always wanted one, but I read that they are not the easiest to grow. I got myself Pleiospilos nelii and out of 3 I have one survived :p
Ooh, want. That being said, I have a really rough history with succulents- I tend to do better with other plants.
What do you mean by rough? Me.curious 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
Haha, they just tend to die on me a lot, is all.
😂😂😂
Why are you in Sweden @trumpman? You're greek right?
To see one of my favorite metal bands! https://steemit.com/travel/@trumpman/trumpman-goes-to-sweden
Aha. Cool.Enjoy your stay. Write a post about your impression..