| Adromischus maculatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Crassulaceae |
| Genus: | Adromischus |
| Species: | A. maculatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Adromischus maculatus | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
Adromischus maculatus, the spotted adromischus or calico hearts, is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, which is endemic to the Eastern Cape and Western Cape of South Africa. [3]
Growing to 35 cm (14 in), it is a mat-forming succulent perennial, with thick spade-shaped leaves growing from a short, prostrate, woody stem. Plants are variable in colouring. Some are plain green, while others have leaves which are covered in maroon or brown blotches - hence the Latin specific epithet maculatus, meaning "spotted". [4] In summer (December-January), tubular green inflorescences are borne on 25–30 cm (9.8–11.8 in) long branches, with pink or white lobes.
Adromischus maculatus grows on the sunny, sandstone slopes of South Africa's Langeberg Mountains. [3] It is widely cultivated, but does not tolerate prolonged frost, so in temperate regions is usually grown indoors as a houseplant. [5] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [5] [6]