Cleretum rourkei is an annual plant first described in 1969 by Harriet Margaret Louisa Bolus as Dorotheanthus rourkei.

Scientific Name

Cleretum rourkei (L.Bolus) Klak

Common Name(s)

Red Sandfig

Synonym(s)

Dorotheanthus rourkei, Sineoperculum rourkei

Scientific Classification

Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Dorotheantheae
Genus: Cleretum

Etymology

The specific epithet «rourkei (roh-URK-ee-eye) honors John Patrick Rourke (born 1942), a South African botanist who worked at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and became curator of the Compton Herbarium.

Origin

Cleretum rourkei is native to South Africa. It grows on red sand from Namaqualand to Vanrhynsdorp.

Description

Cleretum rourkei is a low-growing succulent annual with green, narrowly racket-shaped leaves covered with bladder-shaped cells.

From late winter to early spring, Cleretum rourkei produces solitary flowers with racket-shaped, orange-red, salmon, or yellow petals and a flat-topped ovary. The fruits are five-locular capsules with covering membranes either absent or present as narrow rims.

Cleretum rourkei (Red Sandfig)
In habitat, West Coast, Western Cape, South Africa. Derivative of a photo by Matt Berger. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

How to Grow and Care for Cleretum rourkei

Light: Cleretum rourkei needs bright light but not too much direct sunlight. A windowsill that receives 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon is ideal for indoor growing.

Soil: This plant thrives in porous soil, allowing the water to drain away quickly. Therefore, use commercial soil for succulents or make your own well-draining mix.

Temperature: High temperatures are not a problem as long as there is plenty of fresh air, but this plant cannot withstand cold temperatures.

Watering: Water Cleretum rourkei thoroughly, but allow the soil to dry between waterings.

Fertilizing: This plant does not require frequent fertilization but can benefit from a balanced fertilizer.

Propagation: Cleretum rourkei is started from seeds sown in the fall. The seeds can be sown in a cold frame.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.

Toxicity of Cleretum rourkei

Cleretum rourkei is considered non-toxic, so having it around kids and pets is safe.

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Click on a photo to see a larger version.

Cleretum rourkei (Red Sandfig)
In habitat, Matzikama Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa. Photo by Nick Helme. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Cleretum rourkei (Red Sandfig)
In habitat, West Coast, Western Cape, South Africa. Photo by Matt Berger. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Cleretum rourkei (Red Sandfig)
In habitat, Kamiesberg Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa. Derivative of a photo by Jean Audissou. Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.