Titanopsis is a genus of about 10 species of succulent plants of the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to the arid regions of South Africa and Namibia.
The name Titanopsis is derived from the Greek (god), Titan, the sun, and opsis, appearance, from the sun-like appearance of the flower.[1]
Distribution
The genus has a disjunct distribution, occurring in three separate areas of southern Africa: southern Namibia, the region around the south-eastern border of Namibia and a larger area spanning between the former Cape Province and Orange Free State in South Africa. This unusual distribution means that the different Titanopsis species live in different rainfall systems - either summer or winter rainfall depending on the species.[2][3]
Description
Titanopsis succulents are small plants, often found growing low to the ground with a thick root system that branches out 6 to 10 times.
The plant itself is often hidden by its own leaves, which grows in clusters of 4 to 8, forming a rosette pattern. These leaves have a truncate tip and rough warty little tubercles at the apex of the leaves. When fully grown, the leaves range from 20 to 25mm long.
The tips of the leaves have been noted to resemble limestone, allowing the plant to blend into its surroundings in its natural rocky habitat.
In the fall, the plant produces 1-3 yellow flowers with a 2 cm diameter. These flowers lack any extra bracts[4]
Species
Plants of the World Online accepts the following species:[2]
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
 |
Titanopsis calcarea (Marloth) Schwantes | South Africa |
 |
Titanopsis hugo-schlechteri (Tischer) Dinter & Schwantes | Namibia & South Africa |
 |
Titanopsis primosii L.Bolus ex S.A.Hammer | South Africa |
 |
Titanopsis schwantesii (Dinter ex Schwantes) Schwantes | Namibia & South Africa |
Cultivation
Cultivation is easy with full sun, very well-drained soil, and attention to the natural rainfall of the particular species' habitat.
The more popular species from the eastern areas, such as Titanopsis calcarea, fulleri and luederitzii are adapted to summer rainfall, while those from further west, rarer species such as Titanopsis schwantesii and hugo-schlecteri, are adapted to winter rainfall, when they also flower.
The plants are calcicole (they appreciate calcareous soils), but any typical loose succulent soil mix is suitable. Division of larger clumps is possible in some cases, but as most species have tuberous rootstocks and offset slowly, seed production is the most common method of propagation.
References
- ^ Burkhardt, Lotte (2022). Eine Enzyklopädie zu eponymischen Pflanzennamen [Encyclopedia of eponymic plant names] (pdf) (in German). Berlin: Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum, Freie Universität Berlin. doi:10.3372/epolist2022. ISBN 978-3-946292-41-8. S2CID 246307410. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- ^ a b "Titanopsis Schwantes". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
- ^ "Titanopsis".
- ^ Hartmann, Heidrun E. K., ed. (2017). Aizoaceae. Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants (2nd ed. 2017 ed.). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer. ISBN 978-3-662-49258-1.
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