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Monsonia lavrani

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Plant from Pinah Rosh, Namibia.

Author: Colin C. Walker, 2008
Family:  GERANIACEAE
Origin:  Southern Namibia
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Minimum
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  2,5 Centimetres
Height:  30 Centimetres
Flower:  Pale Rose
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Sarcocaulon lavrani, Josef Jakob Halda, 1997

This member of the Geraniaceae might not been called Monsonia yet, but if F. Albers are right, it will be. It is found in Southern Namibia, growing in a well drained soil with little water and lots of sun. The stems can grow to two and a half centimetre in diameter and the whole plant up to 30 centimetres high.

The genera is named for Lady Ann Monson, 18th century plant collector on the Cape of Good Hope and in Bengal. The species name for John J. Lavranos, a Greek-borne insurance broker, botanist and interpid collector of succulents in south and east Africa.

This Monsonia/Sarocaulon was not discovered when F. Albers changed the Sarocaulons into Monsonias in 1996, but Colin C. Walker published this combination in CactusWorld 26(4):249, 2008.

This is a winter-grower.


This photo is by Judd Kirkel Welwitch of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.