Ever found yourself bewitch by those fascinating livelihood stones in the succulent world ? Pleiospilos and Lithops may seem like counterpart at first glance , but they ’re two clear-cut genus with entrance differences . Get ready to embark on an exciting journeying as we unravel the living gem code !
While both Pleiospilos and Lithops belong to the Aizoaceae family , they ’re as distinguishable as chicken feed and cheese . These tiny titans boast unique traits that set them apart , making proper designation a must for succulent enthusiasts . Brace yourselves for a showdown between these mesembryanthemum marvel !
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Left: Pleiospilos | Right: Lithops
Contents
Pleiospilos vs Lithos: How to Tell Them Apart
1. The Physical Appearance
Pleiospilos species tend to be larger , with some extend to up to 4 inches ( 10 cm ) in diameter , while Lithops seldom exceed 2 inches ( 5 cm ) . Their folio patterns and colors also vary , with Pleiospilos feature bold , intricate designs and Lithops often displaying subtler hues and markings .
2. The Bloom Time
Timing is everything ! WhileLithopstypically salad days in autumn and wintertime , their Pleiospilos cousins favour to flash their floral splendor in spring and summer . This difference in flower cycles make combining them in the same jackpot a risky endeavour .
3. Leaf Generations
Pleiospilos mintage can maintain leaves from multiple generations at the same time , produce a captivating superimposed impression . In contrast , Lithops normally exuviate their old leaves entirely once the new twosome emerge .
4. Water Wisdom
blow out their thirst is a soft dancing . Lithops are true desert dwellers , postulate far less urine than their Pleiospilos similitude , specially during the winter calendar month when they may go without a sip for 4 - 5 month .
5. Floral Finesse
When it comes to blooms , Pleiospilos slip the show with their large , eye - catching orange tree - yellowish flower ( some even sport pinkish segments ) , while Lithops opt for a more minimise white or yellow pallette , except for the orange tree - flowered L. verruculosa .
Pleiospilos vs Lithos: Photo Comparisons
An grownup specimen of Pleiospilos nelii , well identifiable by its frame , sizing and radiation pattern .
In my public opinion , the only Lithops coinage that has a relatively alike pattern is the Lithops terricolor . In any pillowcase , as you could see in this pic , a Lithops terricolor is very dissimilar from a Pleiospilos .
The difference becomes more evident when the plants blossom . The flowers of the Pleiospilos are very attractive and quite tumid , compare to the size of it of the flora . They are orange - yellowish in color ( although some specimens may have pink segments ) with the innermost region whitish .
Flowers of Lithops are always whitened or white-livered clearly . Except in the case of the Lithops verruculosa , which haveorange flowersbut , in any slip , very different from the flowers of the Pleiospilos .
Very often , in the genus Pleiospilos , the flower coexist with several pairs of leave of different generations .
On the other hand , in the case of Lithops ( in this sheath it is a Lithops fulviceps v. Fulviceps ‘ Aurea ’ ) when the plants blossom , there is usually no trace of the leaves from premature generations .
In the case of the cultivar Pleiospilos nelii ‘ imperial Flush ’ , there is a certain resemblance to Lithops optica ‘ Rubra ’ . In this sample distribution it can be seen that there are notable coincidences both in people of color and size of it .
But , if we look closely , there are also distinctive feature that speciate them , such as the mottling that can be seen in the previous exposure and that does not survive in this Lithops optica ‘ Rubra ’ .
And , if there is any doubtfulness , just wait for our Lithops optica ‘ Rubra ’ to bloom , since their white bloom have nothing to do with the characteristic flowers of the Pleiospilos nelii .
Except for the few similarities that we have fancy in the premature photograph , in the remainder of the Lithops species , the difference of opinion are more than evident , as can be seen in this beautiful Lithops gracilidelineata , which looks like a Pleiospilos like an egg to a chestnut tree .
These differences in visual aspect are equally manifest when the plants bloom .
Conclusion: Pleiospilos vs Lithops
While Pleiospilos and Lithops may share a sept connexion , their distinct characteristics make proper identification all important . From size and folio patterns to blossom cycles and weewee needs , these go Stone demand our farthermost care and care . So , the next clock time you play these mesembryanthemum marvels , take a penny-pinching look and let the living gemstone code unravel before your eye !
Left: Pleiospilos | Right: Lithops
Pleiospilos nelii
Lithopsterricolor
Pleiospilos flowers
Lithops verruculosaflower
Pleiospilos
Lithops fulviceps v. Fulviceps ‘Aurea’
Pleiospilos nelii ‘Royal Flush’
Lithops optica ‘Rubra’
Lithops optica ‘Rubra’
Lithops gracilidelineata
