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Conophytum maughanii
The plant likes sunny locations, but can also tolerate partial shade.
We water mainly during the winter, but reduce watering in the summer.
We keep it at temperatures between 1.7 and 10 °C. The plant is not frost-resistant.
These plants grow during the winter rainy season and go dormant in summer.
Conophytum maughanii is a small species native to South Africa, specifically the Northern Cape, where it grows at elevations of approximately 950–1200 m. The specific epithet maughanii honors Dr. Herbert Maughan Brown (1883–1940), a physician and plant collector active in South Africa.
This succulent is formed by a single pair of strongly fleshy leaves that are almost completely fused into a soft, globose to cylindrical body. At the top, characteristic translucent “windows” are present. The body is pale green to pale orange in color, with the apex always at least partly translucent. Toward the end of winter, as dormancy begins, the plant often develops purplish to reddish tones. It may grow as a solitary plant or form small clusters and belongs to the dwarf members of the genus.
The flowers appear in late summer and autumn. They are nocturnal, strongly fragrant, and white, cream, or slightly pink in color.
Conophytum maughanii has a typical reversed growth cycle, with active growth in autumn and winter, while summer is spent in a resting phase. During dormancy, watering should be kept to a minimum and the plant should be maintained in a calm, dry environment. It is a slow-growing succulent well suited to small containers.