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Fockea capensis

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Photo by James Winston.


Photo by Richard J. Hodgkiss, Worldofsucculents.com.

Author:  Stephan F. L. Endlicher, 1839
Family:  ASCLEPIADACEAE*
Origin:  South-Western South Africa
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  60 Centimetres
Height:  5 Metres
Flower:  White
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Might be: Fockea edulis K.Schum. var. capensis  G.D.Rowley, 1998.
Asclepias crispa
P.J.Bergius, 1767.
Cynanchum crispum
Carl Thunberg, 1794.
Gomphocarpus crispus
R.Br.1809.
Fockea crispa,
K.Schumann, 1895.
Fockea edulis
var. capensis, G.D.Rowley.

This member of the Asclepiadaceae* family was given this name by Stephan Friedrich Ladislaus Endlicher in 1839. It is found in south-western South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with some water and some sun. The caudex develops in the ground, and only in the ground. If it is raised, it will almost only develop downwards, in the ground. Given prime conditions for a 100 years or two, you will end up with a 60 centimetre caudex with five meter vines and white flowers.

The genera name after Charles Focke, 1802-1856, a Dutch botanist, collecting especially in Surinam. The species name means 'from the Cape' - of South Africa.

As the synonym crispa implies, it has crisped margined leaves.

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