|
|
Habitat:
Africa, Australia, Socotra, Central and
South America, Mexico, Baja California, California, Arizona, Nevada,
Colorado, New Mexico, Texas.
Description:
this is not a family but a
grouping comprising plants from approximately forty families with the common
feature of having a swollen stem or stem base (caudex) that can grow below
the ground like a tuber and functions as a water storage organ. New leaves
arise from the caudex each growing season to carry out photosynthesis and
are shed when plants become dormant (dry season).
Soil: fertile mix.
Location: choose a bright site; dappled shade is preferable during
the hot months.
Temperature: generally warm; keep the minimum between 13 and 16°C
(55-61°F).
Water: during the growing season only; stop when the leaves begin to
drop. Sprinkle little water from time to time if the soil gets too dry.
Resume the normal watering schedule when they show signs of awakening.
Cultivation tips: the genera Kedrostis, Cyphostemma, Pelargonium,
Nolina, Pachypodium, Dioscorea, Fouquieria, Cotyledon (dwarf) are
generally easy. There is no precise period during which the plants grow. The
caudex should stay above the ground to avoid the risk of rotting due to
excess moisture; however, its growth is likely to be reduced as a result of
this. Move outdoors during the warm months. Seedlings will not go dormant,
therefore they must be watered regularly throughout the year.
Main genera/species: Nolinaceae: Calibanus, Nolina;
Anacardiaceae: Pachycormus discolor; Apocynaceae: Pachypodium
succulentum and bispinosum, Adenium obesum; Asclepiadaceae: Ceropegia
woodii, Fockea crispa, Brachystelma barberae; Burseraceae: Bursera;
Asteraceae: Othonna; Convolvulaceae: Ipomoea bolusiana;
Cucurbitaceae: Cephalopentandra, Gerrardanthus, Xerosicyos, Kedrostis,
Dendrosicyos, Zigosicyos; Dioscoreaceae: Dioscorea; Euphorbiaceae:
E. cylindrifolia, E. tuberosa, E. trichadenia, Monadenium, Jatropha;
Fouquieriaceae: Fouquieria; Geraniaceae: Pelargonium rapaceum;
Moraceae: Dorstenia, Ficus; Nolinaceae:Calibanus, Nolina;
Oxalidaceae: Oxalis; Passifloraceae: Adenia; Pedaliaceae:
Pterodiscus; Portulacaceae: Talinum, Anacampseros alstonii, Avonia;
Vitaceae: Cyphostemma.
   |
|
|
