Carlablackiae 'Round' Clone

I had been searching constantly for a near-black Carlablackiae when I found this plant listed on Grant’s website. I messaged him immediately and purchased a clonal propagation of his mother plant.

According to Grant, the mother plant develops progressively rounder leaves as it matures, earning the clone the name “Round.” My specimen has not yet reached that degree of maturity, but the direction is already visible in its broad shoulders and full, gently curved sides. The leaf is an exceptionally dark green that appears nearly black, with a smooth velvet surface that absorbs much of the light around it. Thin silver veins radiate cleanly from the center and follow the contours of the blade without overwhelming it. The upper lobes are broad and softly rounded around a narrow sinus, while the lower blade tapers gradually to a fine point.

I wanted a near-black Carla, and this clone delivers exactly that. I especially love its thinner veining—it gives the leaf definition while leaving plenty of uninterrupted dark velvet. I’m looking forward to seeing how much rounder the shape becomes as my specimen reaches maturity.