Accepted name: Caputia scaposa | Family: Asteraceae | South Africa
Common names: Small caputia (English); kleintontelbos (Afrikaans)
Native status, spread and safety
Field | Status |
|---|---|
Native to Tippecanoe County, Indiana | No. The plant’s native range is outside Indiana. |
Native to the United States | No. |
Invasive status | No Indiana invasive designation established by this revision. Frost-sensitive container culture does not establish its status in other climates. |
Self-seeding | Limited; flowering, pollination and seedling conditions must all be suitable. Vegetative propagation is more dependable in ordinary home culture. |
Edibility and cautions | No. Do not ingest; keep foliage and cuttings away from children and pets. Handle damaged tissue cautiously. |
To understand the care of a plant, understand its native climate and environment.
Identification
A compact, clump-forming succulent with narrow, finger-like leaves covered when young by a silvery-white felt. The coating reflects sunlight and helps protect the leaf from heat and water loss. Older leaves may naturally lose some of the felt and show more green.
- Typical foliage height: about 6–12 in. (15–30 cm).
- Dense basal rosettes or clustered heads.
- Yellow daisy-family flower heads on stalks above the foliage.
Light
Give very bright light. Full sun is preferred; light shade is tolerated. Indoors, use the brightest sunny window available. Acclimate gradually before moving an indoor plant into strong outdoor sun.
Water
Water thoroughly, let excess water drain, then allow the potting mix to become essentially dry before watering again. Reduce watering in winter. Chronic wetness is the main cultural hazard and can cause root or crown rot.
Recommended Potting Mix
Jim’s Standard Succulent Mix
- General Succulent Standard Mix: 1 part generic potting soil + 1 part granite chicken grit, by volume.
Mix thoroughly. Use a pot with a drainage hole. The goal is a porous root zone that drains quickly and retains substantial air space; do not use ordinary potting soil alone.
Pot & Repotting
Use a pot only slightly larger than the root system; terra-cotta is useful because it promotes drying. Repot when roots crowd the container or the medium has compacted. Spring is a good time to repot.
Temperature & Feeding
Protect from hard frost. During active growth, feed lightly about every 4–6 weeks with a cactus/succulent fertilizer at roughly half label strength. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeding and reduce or stop feeding during slow winter growth.
Flowering
In its South African habitat, Caputia scaposa flowers mainly in autumn and winter (approximately April–July). The branched inflorescences can reach about 30–45 cm and bear several yellow flower heads. Strong light and mature, healthy growth favor flowering.
Propagation
Division and stem cuttings are reliable methods. For cuttings, allow the cut end to dry and form a heel/callus before placing it in a very well-drained medium. SANBI recommends allowing cuttings to dry for one to three weeks; spring or summer cuttings may root in roughly three to four weeks.
Common Problems
Symptom | Likely cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
Soft or mushy base | Excess moisture / rot | Stop watering; inspect roots and crown. |
Long, greener growth | Insufficient light | Increase light gradually. |
Shriveled leaves | Drought or root damage | Check root condition before simply watering. |
White felt wearing off | Age or handling | Usually normal; avoid rubbing leaves. |
Mealybugs | Sap-feeding insects | Isolate and treat promptly. |
Environment / Native Habitat
Native to South Africa from the Klein Karoo in the Western Cape eastward to the Kei River in the Eastern Cape. It grows on sandstone cliff ledges, rocky hills, steep slopes and dry river valleys, generally in sandy, mineral-poor, acidic soils. Rainfall is roughly 250–400 mm annually, and plants occur in full sun or light shade. The silver felt is an adaptation to these dry, sunny conditions.
Quick Care Summary
Requirement | Recommendation |
|---|---|
Light | Very bright light to full sun |
Water | Soak thoroughly; let mix dry before rewatering |
Soil | General Succulent Standard Mix: 1 part generic potting soil + 1 part granite chicken grit, by volume. |
Drainage | Essential |
Feeding | Light feeding during active growth |
Propagation | Division or stem cuttings |
Primary hazard | Overwatering / root rot |
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), PlantZAfrica: Caputia scaposa — accepted/common names, taxonomy, description, ecology, habitat, flowering and propagation; flower and both habitat photographs.
DesertScapeSucculent: Senecio scaposus — top non-flowering plant photograph.
Key rule: bright light + porous soil + intermittent watering + excellent drainage.
Current Standard mix
General Succulent Standard Mix: 1 part generic potting soil + 1 part granite chicken grit, by volume.
Mix by volume without compression and keep the drainage hole open. Match watering to the species and root-zone drying. These are container recipes, not replacements for outdoor bed soil.