Orostachys malacophylla var. iwarenge ("Iwarenge")

Japanese name: イワレンゲ （岩蓮華）
Scientific name: Orostachys malacophylla var. iwarenge

[Overview]
A perennial 10–20 cm tall with rosettes about 10 cm across, found on sunny seaside rocks and on roofs.
It usually does not grow in clumps, and the whole plant is powdery and looks whitish green.
The leaves are simple, alternate and fleshy; the rosette leaves are oblanceolate, 4–6 cm long and 2–2.5 cm wide, with no needle-like projection at the tip.
From the center of the rosette rises a tower-shaped flower stalk 10–20 cm tall, bearing a conical inflorescence.
The inflorescence has bracts.
The flowers are white, 5-petaled, and open in a star shape.
There are 10 stamens, and the anthers are yellow, not reddish.
The fruit is a follicle.
The plant dies after fruiting, but increases by producing offsets.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division.
It prefers a sunny site with well-drained sandy soil.
Potted plants should be kept in a well-ventilated place out of the rain during long rainy spells.
For potted plants, in spring and autumn water thoroughly a few days after the soil has dried; water sparingly in midsummer and withhold water in winter.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Poor ventilation or excess moisture can cause root rot and gray mold.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary.
Offsets form, but if the parent plant flowers, they may flower together with it and die, so if you wish to increase the plants, separate them from the parent early.
Pests and diseases include gray mold and scale insects.

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