Cotyledon orbiculata is an extremely variable species, one that grows to approximately in height. The shape of the leaves was thought to have a resemblance to a pig's
ear, thus the
common name. The bell-shaped flowers, which appear in winter, are usually a blood orange-red or a paler salmon-orange; yellow varieties also exist. To the untrained eye, the blossoms may resemble the blooms of the distantly-related
Kalanchoe, which is also native to Africa. However,
Cotyledon produce tubular, upside-down bells which are smaller, usually less than in length;
Cotyledon also tend to flower in denser clusters than
Kalanchoe. They also hang and droop from the top of a -tall stalk. Recognised varieties include: •
Cotyledon orbiculata var.
flanaganii (Schönl. & Baker f.) Toelken ― with elongated leaves in
whorls •
Cotyledon orbiculata var.
oblonga (Haw.) DC. ― defined by its red leaf-margins and 20–50 cm inflorescence •
Cotyledon orbiculata var.
spuria (L.) Toelken ― defined by having (2–)3–5 bract pairs on the
stem of its inflorescence Other forms include: •
Cotyledon orbiculata var.
dactylopsis ― small and proliferous plant with elongated,
terete leaves •
Cotyledon orbiculata var.
engleri (= cultivar: "Viridis") ― leaves a deep and slightly
glaucous green •
Cotyledon orbiculata var.
mucronata ― defined by its
mucronate leaves •
Cotyledon orbiculata var.
oophylla Dinter (= cultivars: "Boegoeberg" and "Lizard Eggs") ― defined by its round, white,
pruinose leaves •
Cotyledon orbiculata var.
undulata Haw. (= cultivar: "Silver Crown") ― defined by its wide, flat, round leaves with bent margin •
Cotyledon orbiculata f.
takbok ― leaves often with multiple lobes, becoming antler-like File:Cotyledon orbiculata - cultivars varieties.jpg|
Cotyledon orbiculata is a common garden plant, with many different varieties. The antler-like leaves of the
takbok form can be seen on the left for example. File:Cotyledon orbiculata var. engleri 1.jpg|Var.
engleri, with its deep glaucous-green leaves File:Cotyledon orbiculata var flanaganii (5849131139).jpg|Var.
flanaganii often has its elongated leaves in whorls of three. File:Cotyledon orbiculata var oblonga - Grey Sticks KBG1.jpg|Var.
oblonga, a cultivar known as "Grey Sticks" File:Cotyledon - oophylla - cape town gardens.jpg|Var.
oophylla has round, white, pruinose leaves. File:Cotyledon orbiculata - Shireen form - KBG.jpg|"Shireen" form File:Cotyledon orbiculata var spuria - Langbeen Plakkie 1.jpg|Var.
spuria ==Distribution==