“Pachyphytum” Genus

This is a small genus with only 12 species. It belongs to the Stonecrop family of Crassulaceae. The genus is a native of Mexico and its name comes from a combination of two Greek words. ‘Pachys’ and ‘Phyton’ mean thick and plant respectively. This reference is due to the shape of leaves in the genus, they are usually inordinately thick.

Pachyphytum is characterized by shoots whose stems branch right at the base. The shoots are themselves relatively small with each reaching attaining a diameter of a maximum of 3.5 centimeters. Leaves form rosettes at the edges of each of the stem branches. Rosettes in the genus range from 6 to 20 cm in diameter depending on the genus.

Also, the number of leaves in a rosette varies from plant to plant. There can be as many as 10, 40, or 80 leaves in the rosette. Each of the blue frosted leaves in the rosette stands alone but there is more crowding towards the tip of the rosette than it is at the base of the rosette. The older leaves at the bottom of the rosette are usually more rolled back but the younger ones at the center of the rosette are often erect.

Pachyphytum Plants On Succulent City