Cotyledon orbiculate

Pigs ears (plakkies) has thick leaves which may vary from green to grey, often with a red line around the margin.

Flowering time at Rooiels is in midsummer. The colourful, hanging, bell-shaped flowers are carried in clusters on the ends of an elongated flower stalk. They are mostly orange-red.

This succulent plant can be seen anywhere in Rooiels and throughout South-Africa. Look on the Koppie, along the steps going down to the beach, in the fynbos where it is not marshy and also in gardens.

Bees and birds are attracted to the brightly coloured flowers, where they feed on the nectar. Tortoises in your garden would snack on the fleshy leaves.

Uses

The fleshy part of the leaf is applied to the skin to soften and remove hard corns and warts. The heated leaf is used as a poultice for inflammations.

Traditionally the fleshy leaves are to this day used to soften ad remove hard corns and warts. Leaves are heated in a pot to use as a poultice for inflammation.

Van Wyk et al. (1997) report that a single leaf is eaten as a vermifuge and that the warmed juice can be used as drops for toothache or earache. They also report that the juice has been used to treat epilepsy.

Growing pigs ears

Cotyledon orbiculata is easy-to-grow from cuttings. Plant them in pots or in your rockery. Good drainage is important. They will flower in full sunshine or in dappled shade.