*** ONE OF A KIND *** This very rare and very unusual Cryptanthus rarely seen in cultivation, other than in botanical collections, is being offered from Tropiflora. This Cryptanthus species was first discovered and collected by Elton M.C. Leme, Roberto Menescal, and Renato Bello on 15 May 1987 along Brasil 101 Road about 6km from the city of Serra in the County of Serra in Espírito Santo State Brazil. First flowered in cultivation in May-June of 1990. It was collected on a hill of about 200 meters high, situated about 30km from the city of Vitoria and 15km from the Atlantic Ocean, where a somewhat dry shrubby vegetation predominates. It grows terrestrially under the partial protection of shade trees, in very small spreading populations. At first glance its very rigid leather-like spreading leaves makes it different from all the previously known species of Cryptanthus. Although it has a very unusual general appearance, this new species is very closely related to Cryptanthus maritimus and Cryptanthus incrassatus. Cryptanthus coriaceus whose epithet means 'leather' refers to its leathery and very succulent leaves. The 7 to 10 leaves in a somewhat flat open round rosette, the basal ones a little reduced, are smooth and lustrous above, densely white scurfy and strongly corrugate beneath, and very dense with minute spines. The greenish to wine colored leaves are 10 to 18 inches long and 1 to 1.5 inches wide, very rigid and leathery, succulent towards the base, but without a distinct median portion of succulence, inconspicuously narrowed at the base, and usually not wavy. Given to its habitat of the Atlantic Coast restingas of tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest forming on sandy, acidic, and nutrient-poor soils, and are characterized by medium-sized trees and shrubs adapted to the drier and nutrient-poor conditions. We recommend growing this species in a dirty Turface® mix, equal parts peat based potting mix and Turface® All Sport, a calcined clay product. Fill the bottom of your pot with a shallow layer of potting mix, this prevents the Turface® mix from running out the bottom of your pot, and the remainder with the dirty Turface® mix.
