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Raphionacme monteiroae

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Photo from CaudexMania.

Author: Nicholas Edward Brown, 1907
Family:  ASCLEPIADACEAE*
Origin:  Angola, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  15 Centimetres
Height:  8 Metres
Flower:  Green
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Chlorocyathus monteiroae Oliver, 1891.
Raphionacme loandae, Schltr. & Rendle.
Raphionacme monteiroae,
N.E.Br.

This member of the Asclepiadaceae* family was given this name by Nicholas Edward Brown in 1907. It is found in Angola, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, growing in a well drained soil with some water and some sun. The caudex can grow up to fifteen centimetres in diameter, the stem to eight metres height. The flowers are 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 after Mrs Rose Monteiro, wife of Portuguese naturalist Joachim Monteiro, who collected plants in Angola and Mozambique.

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