Genus of 9 species of compact, often clump-forming, perennial succulents and evergreen subshrubs from desert or shaded areas in E. Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and southern Africa. Most known is the Cotyledon undulata with wavy-edged and bloom-covered leaves. C. orbiculata is a larger shrub with spoon-shaped leaves. The tubular flowers of Cotyledon appear in summer.