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Raphionacme burkei

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Photo by Mireille Riesenbeck.


Photo by Arend Biewenga.


And a big plant I found at Kakteen Haage.

Author: Nicholas Edward Brown, 1907
Family:  ASCLEPIADACEAE*
Origin:  Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium - Maximum
Thickness:  30 Centimetres?
Height:  1-2 Metres?
Flower:  Greenish
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings?
Names:  Bushmen: Bi
Synonyms:  Might be: Raphionacme velutina, Schltr. 1895 =
Brachystelma viridiflorum, Turrill.
Raphionacme dinteri,
Schltr. ex Schinz.

This member of the  Asclepiadaceae* family was described by Nicholas Edward Brown in 1907. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, growing in a well drained soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex might grow to 30 centimetres or more, the vines to one or two meters.

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 after Joseph Burke, 1812-1873, an English plant collector.

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


Photo by Arend Biewenga