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Raphionacme globosa

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Photo from Specks Exotica.


The flower by Warren McCleland, Africanplants.senckenberg.de.

Author: Karl Moritz Schumann, 1893
Family:  ASCLEPIADACEAE*
Origin:  Angola, Eswatini, E+N South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  20 Centimetres
Height:  50 Centimetres
Flower:  Purple - Green
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Raphionacme virgultorum, S.Moore.

This member of the Asclepiadaceae* family was described by K. Schumann in 1893. It is found in Angola, the Eastern and Northern Provinces in South Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Tanzania, Zaire, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It grows in a well drained soil with some water and some sun. The caudex can grow up to 20 centimetres in diameter, the stem to 50 centimetres height. The flowers are greenish purple to green.

The genera name from Greek rhaphis; 'beet-root' and akme; 'sharpness' possibly referring to the taste of the roots - haven't tried yet. The species name for the spherical caudex.

*)Accordantly to the latest taxonomic system; APG IV 2016, Asclepiadaceae is now part of the Apocynaceae.


Another colour of the flower by David Goyder, Africanplants.senckenberg.de.