Cotyledon orbiculata var orbiculata, commonly known as pig’s ear or round-leafed navel-wort, is a South African succulent plant belonging to the genus Cotyledon.

Cotyledon orbiculata is an extremely variable species.^[1] This variety is the Cotyledon orbiculata var orbiculata.

Height of Cotyledon orbiculata var orbiculata

Cotyledon orbiculata var orbiculata plants are usually quite low growing, however in certain conditions they can reach 1.3 m (4.3 ft) in height.^[1]

Leaves of the pig’s ear plant

The pig’s ear plant has gray-green leaves that can be up to 13 by 7 cm (5.1 by 2.8 in) with a white powdery substance on them that helps reflect sunlight and conserve water.^[2]

The shape of the leaves was thought to have a resemblance to a pig’s ear, thus the common name.^[3]

Flowers of Cotyledon orbiculata var orbiculata

The bell-shaped flowers are small, usually less than 3 cm (1.2 in) in length, and droop from the top of a 60 cm (24 in) tall stalk.[1]

The flowers are usually orange-red but yellow varieties also exist. The tubular flower crown has no bulges and is 20 millimeters long and up to 9 millimeters in diameter.

The bent back crown tips are orange, red or yellow and are 12 millimeters long. The stamens protrude 2 to 3 millimeters.

The yellow anthers are elongated and 1.75 millimeters in diameter.

The slightly transversely elongated nectar scales are dull and yellowish green and are 1.5 × 2 millimeters in size. The 10 stamens are attached to the base of the corolla (2 per petal), and the 5 carpels each have a style longer than the ovary.

Varieties of round-leafed navel-wort (Cultivars of Cotyledon orbiculata)

This diverse species includes a large number of varieties and cultivated forms (which some may have a resemblance to Kalanchoe thyrsiflora).^[4][5]

Recognised varieties include:

• Cotyledon orbiculata var. flanaganii (Schönl. & Baker f.) Toelken, with elongated leaves in whorls
• Cotyledon orbiculata var. oblonga (Haw.) DC., defined by its red leaf-margins and 20–50 cm inflorescence
• Cotyledon orbiculata var. spuria (L.) Toelken, defined by having (2–)3–5 bract pairs on the stem of its inflorescence.
• Cotyledon orbiculata var. “Dactylopsis”, a small and proliferous plant with elongated, terete leaves.
• Cotyledon orbiculata var. “Engleri” (= cultivar: “Viridis”), with leaves of a deep and slightly glaucous green
• Cotyledon orbiculata var. “Mucronata”, defined by its mucronate leaves.
• Cotyledon orbiculata var. “Oophylla” Dinter (= cultivars: “Boegoeberg” and “Lizard Eggs”), defined by its round, white, pruinose leaves.
• Cotyledon orbiculata var. “Undulata” Haw. (= cultivar: “Silver Crown”), defined by its wide, flat, round leaves with bent margin.
• Cotyledon orbiculata var. “Takbok”, with leaves that often have multiple lobes, becoming antler-like.

Distribution of Cotyledon orbiculata var orbiculata

Native to South Africa,^[1] it is popular in gardens in many countries.

In the wild, it grows naturally in rocky outcrops in grassy shrubland in the Eastern Cape and the Karoo region.

Uses of Cotyledon orbiculata var orbiculata

Cotyledon orbiculata has a number of medicinal uses. In South Africa, the fleshy part of the leaf is applied to warts and corns. Heated leaves are used as poultices for boils and other inflammations. Single leaves may be eaten as a vermifuge and the juice has been used to treat epilepsy.^[2]

However, the leaves contain a bufanolide called cotyledontoxin, which is toxic to humans, sheep, goats, horses, cattle, poultry, and dogs, causing a condition known as cotyledonosis.^[6]

Plants Shop Africa can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

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References

1.  “Cotyledon orbiculata”. University of Oklahoma Department of Botany & Microbiology. June 13, 2009. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
2. Harris, Shireen. “Cotyledon orbiculata”. South Africa National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
3. Vandecasteele, Petra; Godard, Paul (2008). In Celebration of Fynbos. Struik. pp. 54–55. ISBN978-1-77007-490-3.
4. Cotyledon orbiculata PlantZAfrica.com
5. HR. Tölken (1985). Crassulaceae. In O.A. Leistner, Flora of southern Africa 14. Botanical Research Institute, Pretoria.
6. Wickens, G. E. (1998). Ecophysiology of economic plants in arid and semi-arid lands. Springer. p. 204. ISBN3-540-52171-2.

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This article uses material from the Wikipedia article “Cotyledon orbiculata”, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.