Saltar al contenido

JRN
arrow_back Back to species
RN-COT-00002
verified unverified
DocumentedCommonly cultivatedVulnerable

Cotyledon tomentosa Harv.

Bear's Paw

Cotyledon tomentosa, the Bear's Paw, is a small shrubby succulent from the South African Karoo, globally recognized for its obovate, toothed-apex leaves that mimic a bear's claws. Subspecies ladismithiensis, from Ladysmith in the Western Cape, is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to its extremely restricted distribution.

chevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes

No pending proposals for this section.

Cotyledon tomentosa Harv.

© Roger Culos

CC BY-SA 4.0

height
Height
20–40 cm
water_drop
Watering
Every 10–14 days in summer; every 3–4 weeks in winter
wb_sunny
Sunlight
4–6 hours direct sun
thermometer
Temperature
Optimal 8–28 °C; minimum -2 °C briefly
Family
Crassulaceae
Genus
Cotyledon
Conservation Status
The nominal subspecies (subsp. tomentosa) is Least Concern; subsp. ladismithiensis is listed as Vulnerable (VU) by IUCN due to its very small range and collection pressure.
Growth Habit
Compact shrub 20–40 cm tall, with succulent stems and moderate branching; densely pubescent throughout.

Overview

CategoryClassification
FamilyCrassulaceae
GenusCotyledon
Growth HabitCompact shrub 20–40 cm tall, with succulent stems and moderate branching; densely pubescent throughout.
Conservation StatusThe nominal subspecies (subsp. tomentosa) is Least Concern; subsp. ladismithiensis is listed as Vulnerable (VU) by IUCN due to its very small range and collection pressure.
pH Target6.0 – 7.0
TypeSandy-loamy, well-drained, moderately nutrient-poor soil.

Origin & Habitat

Native Region
Pequeño Karoo, Cabo Occidental y Oriental (de Ladismith a Steytlerville), Sudáfrica
Ecosystem
Quartzite rocky outcrops and arid scrub of the Little Karoo; stony soils with excellent drainage

Morphology

Leaves

Obovate leaves 3–6 cm long, covered in dense short trichomes giving a velvety texture; apex with 3–8 short red to reddish-brown teeth resembling claws; intense green or grey-green color.

eco
Stem

Succulent stems up to 1.5 cm diameter, densely covered in whitish trichomes; semi-woody base in mature plants.

eco
Flowers

Inflorescences in lax cymes 25–45 cm; pendant tubular flowers orange to orange-red, 2–2.5 cm long; calyx with trichomes; spring to summer flowering.

eco
Roots

Moderate fibrous roots; the species tolerates a degree of root drought but not root asphyxia; sensitive to waterlogging.

eco
chevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes

No pending proposals for this section.

Requirements

Light
Full sun to very light semi-shade; trichomes protect against intense direct radiation, making it more tolerant than other Cotyledon species.
Watering
Moderate; every 10–14 days in summer; every 3–4 weeks in winter; avoid wetting leaves directly to prevent rot.
Temperature
Optimal 8–28 °C; frost-sensitive: minimum -2 °C for very brief periods; cold combined with humidity is fatal.
Soil
Draining mix of coarse sand 40%, perlite 30%, cactus compost 30%; pH 6.0–7.0; avoid humus-rich soils.
Recommended Substrate

Soil & Substrate

landslide
pH Target 6.0 – 7.0

Type

Sandy-loamy, well-drained, moderately nutrient-poor soil.

groups Beneficial Associations

Aloe brevifoliaHaworthia cooperiGasteria batesianaCrassula ovata.
chevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes

No pending proposals for this section.

Propagation Strategy

Stem cuttings Medium
Season: Spring–Summer Rooting: 4–6 weeks
Success Rate 70–80%
  1. 1 Wearing gloves, cut a healthy stem 5–8 cm long with sterilised scissors, being careful with the velvety coating.
  2. 2 Gently remove lower leaves without damaging the stem hairs.
  3. 3 Allow the cut to dry in the shade for 3–4 days; the velvety tissue retains more moisture so callousing takes slightly longer.
  4. 4 Plant in dry cactus mix; do not water for the first 5 days to prevent rot.
  5. 5 Place in a warm spot (20–25 °C) with bright indirect light; water very sparingly.
Leaf cuttings Medium
Season: Spring–Summer Rooting: 7–10 weeks
Success Rate 50–60%
  1. 1 Wearing gloves, carefully detach a healthy, turgid leaf with a gentle twisting motion.
  2. 2 Do not moisten the leaf; let it rest on a rack or paper for 4–5 days.
  3. 3 Lay horizontally on cactus mix without burying, with the base barely touching the surface.
  4. 4 Mist lightly once a week; success rate is lower than stem cuttings due to the hairy coating.
  5. 5 Transplant when the new rosette reaches 1–2 cm in diameter.
check_circle
Key Tip

⚠️ TOXICITY: All parts of Cotyledon tomentosa are toxic to humans and animals (bufadienolides). Always wear gloves and keep away from pets and children.

warning
Common Mistake

Watering the foliage directly, causing spotting, rot and irreversible damage to the velvety coating.

calendar_month
Repotting

Repot every 2–3 years in spring. Being a compact slow-growing plant, it does not need much larger pots; go up only one size (2 cm extra diameter).

eco
Fertilizer

Apply liquid succulent fertiliser diluted to half strength, once a month in spring and summer. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilisers that soften the tissue.

Uses & Applications

Uses
Indoor and outdoor ornamentalrare succulent collectionbotanical gift for its peculiar form.
Parts Used
Leaves (limited propagation)stem cuttingsseeds.
warning

Precautions / Toxicity

TOXIC — like all Cotyledon species, contains cardiotoxic bufadienolides; dangerous to dogs, cats, and livestock. Do not ingest. Trichomes may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

chevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes

No pending proposals for this section.

format_quote
science

"Subspecies ladismithiensis grows in an area of less than 10 km² around Ladysmith, Western Cape. Its wild population is estimated at fewer than 2,500 mature individuals, making it one of the Karoo succulents with the greatest need for ex situ conservation."

Researcher Notes — RN-COT-00002
chevron_right edit_note Proposed edits auto-approved at +3 net votes

No pending proposals for this section.

Scientific Integrity

🟡 Medium
50% 0 votes

Vote to help validate this record

link

Sources

Loading…

forum

Discussion

progress_activity

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.