Calibanus hookeri
| Mexican boulder | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Angiosperms |
| Class: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Genus: | Calibanus |
| Species: | C. hookeri |
| Binomial name | |
| Calibanus hookeri Trel. | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
One of only two species in its genus, Calibanus hookeri is a member of the Asparagaceae family native to Tamaulipas in Mexico, which can easily be mistaken in habitat for a boulder overgrown with grass tufts.
Description
C. hookeri forms a large caudex which has been known to reach diameters and heights of up to 2.6 feet. Atop the caudex sprouts extremely narrow greyish-green leaves that look like grass. Each leaf rosette grown from the caudex is believed to be a vegetatively produced independent plant which dies after fruiting to be replaced by a new one. Flower stalks grow to 2-3.3 feet tall with many branchings and bear tiny, greenish white flowers.
Cultivation
C. hookeri likes full sunlight and well drained and fertilized soils. Should be grown in a large and shallow container and should be kept outside in summer.
References
- The Complete Encyclopedia of Succulents by Zdenek Jezek and Libor Kunte.