Pleiospilos rouxii

Pleiospilos rouxii is a species known under the common names Mimicry Plant, Split Rock, and Stone Plant. It occurs in the Great Karoo from Calvinia in the Northern Cape through the Little Karoo in the Western Cape, extending eastward into semi-arid parts of the Eastern Cape. In nature, it grows on poor, rocky slopes and exposed outcrops.

This succulent forms pairs of thick, fleshy leaves growing opposite each other and fused at the base. The leaves are chunky, grey-green with scattered dark dots and often tinged with pink. They have a triangular cross-section and can reach up to about 5 cm in length and around 2 cm in width. Each year the plant produces a new pair of leaves, while the older ones gradually dry out. Up to three pairs of leaves may form on a single stem, creating a small clump.

Flowering takes place in late autumn and winter. Yellow flowers emerge between the paired leaves on very short or nearly absent stalks. The flowers open only in the afternoon and can reach up to about 3 cm in diameter. As they fade, their color changes to orange.

Pleiospilos rouxii is a succulent with a pronounced summer dormancy, during which growth slows even under high temperatures. The need for watering can be recognized by wrinkling of the leaves. If you are looking for a plant with a true “stone-like” appearance and winter flowering, this species is a distinctive choice.