Pachyphytum werdermannii Poelln.
Werdermann's Pachyphytum
Pachyphytum werdermannii, named in honor of German botanist Erich Werdermann, is one of the rarest and most restricted species in the genus, endemic to the states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León in Mexico. Its leaves are more compact and rounded than most congeners, with an especially dense farina giving the plant a ghostly appearance.
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© Leonora Enking
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Genus | Pachyphytum |
| Growth Habit | Compact, slow-growing rosette; short stem with little branching; rarely produces offsets in cultivation. |
| Conservation Status | Not formally assessed by IUCN; very restricted distribution; susceptible to habitat loss in northeastern Mexico. |
| pH Target | 6.0 – 7.0 |
| Type | Calcareous-mineral, ultra-poor, extremely draining; no moisture retention. |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Obovate-globose leaves 2.5–4 cm long, with the highest farina density within the genus; underlying color grey-green; apex obtuse to rounded; entire, continuous margin.
ecoVery short stem (3–8 cm), erect and compact; rarely branches spontaneously without mechanical intervention (decapitation).
ecoRaceme 15–25 cm; tubular flowers of intense orange-red; thickened, fleshy petals; flowering January to March.
ecoShallow fibrous root system; high sensitivity to root rot from overwatering or soil fungi.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Calcareous-mineral, ultra-poor, extremely draining; no moisture retention.
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 As a rare collector's species, select only mature, healthy leaves; twist very carefully to avoid losing valuable material.
- 2 Hold the leaf only at its base and allow it to callus for 2–3 days in a ventilated spot with indirect light.
- 3 Place on fine, dry mineral substrate; its compact size suits small pots and limited spaces.
- 4 Lightly mist every 5–7 days; roots and plantlets will appear in 3–5 weeks.
- 5 Transplant with tweezers when plantlets reach 1 cm; as a rare species, label each offspring.
- 1 Due to its rarity, only take stem cuttings when the plant has multiple well-developed rosettes.
- 2 Cut a short stem (3–5 cm) with sterilized scissors, preserving as much of the mother plant as possible.
- 3 Remove lower leaves at the base and callus the cut for 3–5 days.
- 4 Plant in very well-draining mineral substrate in a small pot; water for the first time after 7 days.
Never touch the pruina/farina; handle leaves and stems at their base only. Fingerprints permanently damage the coating.
Touching the leaves with fingers, which is especially regrettable in such a hard-to-find species.
Every 2–3 years in spring. Its compact size means it rarely needs pots larger than 8–10 cm in diameter.
Once a month in spring and summer with cactus fertilizer at half dose. No fertilization in autumn-winter.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
No reported toxicity; safe for humans and domestic animals.
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"P. werdermannii has the highest documented epicuticular wax concentration in the genus; preliminary phytochemical studies from the 1990s suggest these waxes contain unique long-chain fatty acid esters potentially of interest to the cosmetics industry."
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Scientific Integrity
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Sources
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.