Dactylopsis digitata - 20 seeds

Mesembryanthemum digitatum also known as Dactylopsis digitata, or Phyllobolus digitatus is a strange stemless or nearly so species, with its fat body looking like a thumb in a glove. It differs from all other mesembs by the thick, finger-shaped, cylindrical, soft, grey-green, waxy leaves up to 10 cm long, which emerge from the sheath of the next-oldest leaf and pointing at odd angles. The sessile, 'bottlebrush' flowers are white and appear singly. During the dry period the leaves completely shrivel.

HOW TO GROW?

Mesembryanthemum digitatum (Dactylopsis digitata, or Phyllobolus digitatus) is a rare and difficult species to grow; it requires a sunny location and in the summer requires complete rest. The thick fingerlike leaves dry up at this time, protecting the new leaves forming within. Even during the winter months water should be sparse, but when in active growth the plant needs to be quite moist all the time otherwise it flops. However is difficult to define actual growing periods because the plants of this species have the awkward habit of growing at different times (opportunistic growers). A much higher temperature is required for this species as flowering season is winter.
Soil: This species grows equally well in the regular Mesemb mix and in the same mix plus a feeding of table salt.