Avonia albissima (Anacampseros albissima) / 20 seeds

Avonia albissima grows in some of the same area as that of Avonia papyracea in South Africa, but also extends further to the north in Namibia and also eastwards through Bushmanland to Griqualand West. Avonia albissima was earlier known as Anacampseros albissima and has a unique appearance and is hardly distinguishable in its environment. It’s a small whitish plant forming a tuft of erect stems branched low down. Branches are thin, cylindrical and reclining. They are numerous and emerge from a short taproot (caudex). Leaves are obtuse and pressed tight to the shoot axis, but with the tip sometimes recurved, dished, entire or irregularly toothed, pure white without apparent midrib but sometimes with a brown tip, sometimes with brown dots, hairy within at the axils. Flowers emerge on tips. They are white and scented, and appear in groups of 2-3 or singly. They turn into capsules with 3mm diameter containing subglobose, beaked seeds. Caudex is short, fleshy, slightly woody and is equipped with fleshy roots, whereas crown is small and below ground. This relatively easy-to-grow succulent, if taken proper care of, will reward you with ample amount of lovely, tiny, white flowers.

Avonia albissima looks like bird droppings and grows in sandy gravel, quartz flats and rock outcrops, in the open or within the shade or at the base of rocks. It even grows on marble outcrops in the Welwitschiaflache north of the Swakop with its roots penetrating up to 30 cm down into the substratum consisting of small stones, of various sizes from 1 to 4 cm in diameter and very closely compacted. Due to this, the roots have to struggle to go down this solid ground and they are deformed or misshapen. Avonia albissima seems to derive its nutrition not from the usual humus, but from the sand which is very rich in minerals. Fortunately, this succulent is not in danger of extinction and is widespread.

Avonia albissima needs light shade to full sun. for bloom and proper development, it needs high levels of light. This plant is quite frost resistant, and hardy to temperatures as low as -5-degree C.

You should water Avonia albissima normally in its growing season, from March to October, but should keep it dry in winter. In summer, fertilize your plant with a high potassium liquid fertilizer.

Avonia albissima can be propagated through seeds that germinate at 15-21-degree C.