Let's get to know Lythops, a living plant like a rock.

Lithops, rock-like living plants.

Looking through it, you might think that what you see is just a small pebble on the ground, but in fact, "Lythops" is a succulent plant so quaint that it is nicknamed "Living Stones" or "Living Stone Plants," one of the plants that collectors around the world are passionate about, both from its beauty, its variety of patterns, and its life cycle unlike any other plant.

What is Lytopse?

Lytopse is a succulent plant in the Aizoaceae family, native to arid areas of Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, where it is extremely hot in the daytime and dry for long periods of time.

The distinguishing feature of the leitops is that only two leaves are joined together, making it look like a natural rock, with most of the tree buried underground, leaving only the upper part called the "leaf window" outside the ground to receive sunlight for photosynthesis.

Why is Lytops like a rock?

The evolution of Lytopse happened to help it survive in nature.

* Camouflage from herbivores

* Reduce water loss from sunlight

* Hide the trunk underground to maintain moisture

* Receiving light through a translucent "leaf window"

Because of this, each lytopse has rock-like patterns, colors, and textures in the areas where it lives.

Hidden Splendor

Despite its simple exterior, Lytopse is remarkably versatile.

* Grey

* Green

* Cream color

* Pink

* Light purple

* Brown

* Red and orange

Many species have marble-like patterns, broken lines on stones, or even a single unique natural painting.

Impressive flowers

By the time the flowering season arrives, the lytops will produce flowers from the crevices between the leaves.

The flowers resemble daisies, larger than the stems.

More common colors include

* Pure white

* Bright yellow

* Light yellow

* Some species have a mild aroma.

The flowers bloom in the afternoon when exposed to sunlight, and close in the evening, before blooming for several days.

A life cycle that is not like a typical plant.

Litops don't break new leaves from above like normal plants.

But it creates a new pair of leaves inside the same pair.

As the new leaves mature, the old leaves gradually wither and transfer water and nutrients to the whole new leaf. This process is called leaf replacement, which is an important phase when growers should refrain from watering to prevent the plant from getting too moisture.

A charm that makes collectors fall in love.

Litops are slow-growing plants, but every moment of change is charming.

Many collectors love watching.

* Annual deciduous

* Seasonal color change

* Flowering

* Different patterns of each tree

* Seeding and raising until growing.

It's no surprise, then, that Lytops is dubbed a "gem of the desert" that can delight a babysitter every day.

Summary

Lytopse may be a small plant that looks like an ordinary rock, but behind that simple look are the results of millions of years of adaptation to nature, both its ability to hold water, its camouflage from enemies, and its unique life cycle.

For those who love succulents or are looking for beautiful, strange, and storied plants to learn, Lytopse is one of the most memorable plants, and when they start raising, many often fall unwittingly in love with these "living stones."

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