Pachyphytum

Morphological Summary

Pachyphytum is a genus of rosette-forming succulents endemic to Mexico, distinguished by its unusually thick, fleshy leaves that are frequently coated with a waxy pruinose layer giving them soft blue, lavender, or silvery hues. Plants form compact rosettes on short or creeping stems and produce arching inflorescences with bell-shaped red, orange, or white flowers. They inhabit rocky cliffs and xerophytic shrublands typically between 1,000 and 2,800 m elevation, with a notable concentration in San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Querétaro, and Tamaulipas. Their striking leaf colouration and compact habit have made many species popular ornamental subjects worldwide.