This is a dwarf caudiciform mesemb, better known by its synonym Mestoklema macrorrhizum, from the fringes of Aizoaceous range in both geography and climate. Native to Réunion Island and apparently naturalized in Madagascar, it grows in a summer rainfall regime but also thrives in the cool, moist winters of southern California’s Mediterranean climate. The tuberous roots develop underground but can eventually be elevated in caudiciform fashion. We have been training and selecting specimens with well-developed roots over the last several years and now have enough to offer. HBG 82657, subsequent generations of plants from seed originally collected by Maurice Desperes & Michael Louie (1732) from a rocky outcrop 5 mi SW of St. Benoit, Réunion Is., in the Indian Ocean, E of Madagascar. $5.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 77 (2), March - April, 2005