Faucaria britteniae L.Bolus
Brittain's Tiger Jaws / Bristle Tiger Jaws
Faucaria britteniae, "Brittain's Tiger Jaws," is a species from the Albany Thicket of the Eastern Cape with limited documentation in widely circulated scientific literature. It is named in honor of botanist Harriet Brittan. Its morphological characteristics place it within the genus's typical patterns, though with grey-green leaves and less pronounced teeth than F. tigrina.
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Aizoaceae |
| Genus | Faucaria |
| Growth Habit | Compact, slow-growing rosette; forms small clumps over time. Autumn–winter growth like all the genus. |
| Conservation Status | Insufficient data for precise evaluation; distributed in the Albany Thicket but poorly monitored. Probably Least Concern given the relatively stable habitat. |
| pH Target | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Type | Albany Thicket: clay-sandy, well-drained, slightly organic. |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Leaves 3–5 cm long, grey-green to pale grey-green with light white spotting; marginal teeth present but less robust than in F. tigrina. Leaves are somewhat proportionally wider than in F. bosscheana.
ecoShort and branched from the base; standard genus structure.
ecoYellow flowers 3–5 cm; typical genus floral pattern with autumn flowering.
ecoFibrous roots similar to the rest of Albany Thicket Faucaria.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Albany Thicket: clay-sandy, well-drained, slightly organic.
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 Harvest seeds in autumn after flowering.
- 2 Surface-sow in fine mineral mix at 18–22 °C.
- 3 Maintain day/night thermal differential; moisten with fine spray.
- 4 Germination in 10–21 days; delicate seedlings, do not transplant before 2 months.
- 1 Divide dense clump in autumn; compact growth can make separation difficult.
- 2 Use a scalpel and divide carefully, respecting each head's root system.
- 3 Callus for 2–3 days; plant in individual pot with mineral substrate.
- 4 Water after 5–7 days.
Its smaller, denser habit requires compact, well-drained pots.
Watering in summer causing rot in this compact species with delicate roots.
Every 2–3 years in autumn.
Balanced fertilizer at 50% monthly from October to March. No fertilization in summer.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
Not toxic; consistent with the safety profile of the entire Faucaria genus.
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"F. britteniae is one of the Faucaria species with the lowest presence in widely accessible scientific literature; the most complete documentation comes from the work of Hermann Schwantes and Desert Plant Society publications. Treating it as F. tigrina is recommended until more specific data are available."
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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.