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December 1998 Buxus microphylla 'Kingsville' November 1998 Orostachys malacophyllus October 1998 Artemisia schmidtiana nana September 1998 Athyrium nipponicum 'Pictum' August 1998 Cyclamen purpurascens July 1998 Thalictrum kiusianum June 1998 Geranium cinereum subcaulescens May 1998 Genista dalmatica April 1998 Aquilegia discolor March 1998 Pulsatilla patens February 1998 Helleborus x hybridus January 1998 Orostachys spinosa Archive 2004 Archive 2003 Archive 2002 Archive 2001 Archive 2000 Archive 1999 Archive 1997

Plant of the Month November 1998   Orostachys malacophyllus by Iza Goroff Orostachys malacophyllus is a member of the crassulaceae, family which includes sempervivum and sedum, a genus into which Orostachys is sometimes lumped. Unfortunately the taxonomy of the genus Orostachys is not yet settled. Joyce Fingerhut, looking at the H. Jacobsen A Handbook of Succulent Plants, observed "(it) lists more synonyms for O. malacophyllus than there are leaves in a rosette". The range of Orostachys malacophyllus includes Mongolia, Korea and northern Japan.

Orostachys malacophyllus is a small plant, individual rosettes rarely reaching 2" (5cm) across. After several years a rosette may produce an inflorescence shaped like an inverted ice cream cone, consisting of a central stem with closely spaced green bracts larger at the bottom, tapering to little bracts at the top. Late in the year, as late as November in some years, small white flowers peak out from the bracts, giving a white fox-tail effect. As the flowers show the original rosette withers, to die after the season is done. By that time offset rosettes have developed. The whole plant has the color of a Granny Smith apple. The plant is easily grown in well drained rock garden soil in sun or half shade. It is hardy to at least -32 degrees F (-35 C). Orostachys iwarenge (or is it Orostachys boemeri?) is a very similar plant in all respects except size and color. It is even smaller than Orostachys malacophyllus, and it is gray in color.