Umbilicus oppositifolius

GOLD DROP, LAMB'S-TAIL
syn. Chiastophyllum oppositifolium, Chiastophyllum simplicifolium, Cotyledon simplicifolia
Family: Crassulaceae
Pronounced: um-BIL-ih-kus op-po-sit-ee-FOH-lee-um

 

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Caucasus.
Plant Group:
Perennial.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: Not listed. 
USDA zones: 6-9. 
Heat zone 9-6.
Mature size:
Height: 6-8 inches (flower height) (15-20 cm). 
Width: 6 inches (15 cm).
Flowering period:
Late spring to early summer.
Flowering attributes:
Pea-like, yellow flowers on racemes looking like dangling chains of tiny flowers.
Leaf attributes:
Succulent, evergreen leaves with scalloped edges.
Growth habit:
Rhizomatous, spreading (but polite about it).
Light:
Partial shade.
Soil:
Moist, neutral ph, well-drained soil.
Propagation Methods:
Sow seed in late winter indoors; outdoors in pots in autumn placed in cold frame. 64-71ºF (18-22ºC). Do not cover seed. | Divide side shoots in early summer.
Pests and Diseases:
One of my resources say these plants can be damaged by slugs and snails. In the many years I've grown them (since 1996) I've not seen any evidence of damage in my slug infested garden.

 

Rainy Side Notes

The evergreen succulent Umbilicus oppositifolius grows six inches high and makes an excellent evergreen ground cover. It is also a charming little rock garden plant for a shady nook in the garden. I planted it on a rock wall in partial shade, where it thrived.

I planted the seed in 1996 and transferred the plants to my next garden. The seed house I bought from had little cultural advice about the perennials, and I could not locate any information on how to grow them then.

This perennial is easy to propagate; however, seeds are like dust and difficult to handle. I divide the plants successfully throughout the growing season, although the previous advice is to do this during early summer.

I love the dance of racemes filled with tiny, lemon-yellow flowers. Promoted as a partial shade plant, we can grow them in full sun west of the Cascades. However, I appreciate them most in the shade garden.

More Umbilicus.

Photographed in author's garden.