Faucaria felina (L.) Schwantes
Cat Jaws / Feline Tiger Jaws
Faucaria felina, known as "Cat Jaws," is a mesemb endemic to the South African Eastern Cape within the Albany Thicket biome. It differs from F. tigrina by its smaller leaves, deeper green color, and slightly finer leaf teeth. Like all Faucaria, it produces bright yellow flowers in autumn and is known for its ease of cultivation and relative robustness.
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© Diego Delso
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Aizoaceae |
| Genus | Faucaria |
| Growth Habit | Compact perennial succulent rosette; clumps over time. Growth cycle mainly autumn–winter with some spring activity. |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern (LC); distributed in the Albany Thicket with stable populations though the biome in general is threatened by intensive agriculture. |
| pH Target | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Type | Clay-sandy Albany Thicket soil; well-drained, some organic matter, slightly acidic to neutral pH. |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Leaves smaller than in F. tigrina (2–4 cm long), medium to dark green in color, with less prominent white spotting. Marginal teeth are 6–9 per leaf, somewhat finer and less curved than those of F. tigrina.
ecoShort and branched from the base, forming rosette cushions over time; identical structure to the rest of the genus.
ecoBright yellow flowers 3–5 cm in diameter, with the typical genus pattern; autumn–winter flowering. Self-incompatible like all Faucaria.
ecoModerately deep fibrous roots, adapted to Albany Thicket soils with some organic matter.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Clay-sandy Albany Thicket soil; well-drained, some organic matter, slightly acidic to neutral pH.
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 Collect seeds from ripe capsules in autumn.
- 2 Surface-sow on fine mineral mix (sand + perlite) at 18–22 °C.
- 3 Maintain day/night temperature fluctuation of at least 5 °C to stimulate germination.
- 4 Germination in 10–21 days; keep lightly moist until 2–3 leaf pairs appear.
- 1 Remove plant from pot in autumn; separate heads with roots using a sterile blade.
- 2 Callus for 2–3 days in open air.
- 3 Plant each division in a small pot with very draining substrate; water after 5 days.
F. felina produces slightly smaller teeth than F. tigrina; care is identical.
Mixing its watering schedule with summer succulents and watering it in July–August.
Every 2–3 years in autumn at the start of the growing season.
Balanced fertilizer diluted to 50% monthly from October to March. No fertilization in summer.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
Not toxic; like all Faucaria, leaf teeth are physically annoying but not poisonous. Considered safe for pets.
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"F. felina has historically been confused with F. tigrina in the succulent trade; the most reliable differentiation in cultivation is F. felina's smaller leaf size and more saturated green color. Both species hybridize readily in cultivation when they bloom simultaneously, producing intermediate forms that complicate genus taxonomy."
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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.