It is notable for its show of long-lasting bright yellow flowers. Blooms from autumn to hearly winter.

Notes: Cheiridopsis are distinguished from Lithops for the fact that the flower has 12 stigmas, versus 5 or 6 in Lithops. This directly affects the number of seed chambers.
 

Scientific name: Cheiridopsis brownii Schick & Tischer

Origin: Coast around Alexander Bay and Richtersveld Natl Pk, Orange River, Cape province, South Africa.

Habitat: Coastal desert mountains, grows in shale or on quartz ridge in cracks and fissures.

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Etymology: Cheiridopsis brownii was named in honour of Brown by Dr Tischer who died in 2000 at the age of 105

Synonyms:

• Cheiridopsis graessneri Schick & Tischer
• Cheiridopsis staminodifera L.Bolus
• Cheiridopsis insignis Schwantes
• Cheiridopsis pachyphylla Schwantes
• Cheiridopsis schlechteri Schwantes

Cultivation: Cheiridopsis is easy to grow. These plants grow on winter rain and were heading for summer dormancy. Requires little water otherwise its epidermis breaks (resulting in unsightly scars). Water minimally in summer, only when the plant starts shrivelling but will generally grow even in summer if given water. Requires good drainage. Keep cool and shaded in summer, need full sun or light shade. Hardy to -2°C

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings