As one of only a few epiphytic caudiciform plants, this member of the family Rubiaceae, which includes coffee and gardenias, is an extreme oddity of nature. Leathery leaves and narrow branches bearing fleshy fruits grow from an ample caudex, which is set with tiny openings, doorways to a labyrinth of interior chambers.

In nature this fascinating plant maintains a symbiotic relationship with certain ant species that provide protection from predators in exchange for housing. But don’t worry, in cultivation, no native ant species are attracted to it! Found in tropical northern Australia and Papua New Guinea where they grow naturally in nutrient poor areas, often on scrub vegetation. Culture is easy: keep just moist, not wet, and grow in medium to bright light, out of full sun, in a well-draining media. Hanging baskets are ideal.

Definitely an unusual species, with few but thickly succulent leaves in a compact rosette. A neat 'windowed' species with a background color of dark green, tinted reddish, turning darker red in bright light and the leaf surface is patterned with gold tessellations. Flaring white and greenish-brown striped flowers appear on a tall arching scape that can reach over three feet! In nature, this species often grows under shrubs, sending it's inflorescence up through the foliage into the view of pollinators.

Drimiopsis maculata is an evergreen geophyte found on forest floors and shaded stream banks in eastern southern Africa. Leaves are deeply lobed on slender banded petioles, with dark green spots and wavy margins. Flowers are in a small compact inflorescence. The buds are white and the flowers grey green. This plant flowers between September and April. Grow the bulbs in a well drained, but organic rich medium and keep it moist during the summer growing season. It does fine with year-round watering. The species is winter deciduous and can take light frost, but not a hard freeze. Plant in light shade to part sun. Freckles on leaves will be more colorful in summer.

A bizarre, epiphytic, caudiciform plant native to New Guinea and northern Australia. It belongs to the family Rubiaceae that includes coffee. It has a globular caudex with some bumps but mainly smooth, glossy, skin and many tiny openings that lead to a labyrinth of interior chambers.

The leaves are curled, thick and leathery with a smooth surface, borne on a full crown of small limbs that also bear fleshy fruit. In nature it maintains a symbiotic relationship with ants that make a home in its interior chambers, in exchange for providing food and protection to the plant.

In cultivation, no native ant species are attracted to it. Can be grown potted in loose, well-drained media, or mounted in the fashion of a Platycerium fern, using a thin layer of sphagnum moss. Needs frequent watering, but will not tolerate being constantly wet.

THIS PLANT IS ON C.I.T.E.S. AND CANNOT BE EXPORTED

An attractive and bizarrely beautiful Euphorb from Madagascar. Thick, procumbent stems bear distinctive leaf scars and inch-long, succulent, very crisped or crinkled leaves. A very flat growing, mat forming shrub with an underground caudex. Flowers or cyathea are tan to pinkish. Light exposure will determine color which can range from deep green to pinkish brown. A superb plant for container culture or rock garden. Water about weekly in warm months and allow a drier rest during cooler periods. Propagate from seed or stem cuttings.

THIS PLANT IS ON C.I.T.E.S. AND CANNOT BE EXPORTED

A epiphytic cactus that blooms at night. It grows as a loose mass of long flat strappy leaves. It produces large white fragrant flowers in the warmer months of the year. the flowers can reach 8 inches in diameter. It prefers bright filtered light but not full sun.

THIS PLANT IS ON C.I.T.E.S. AND CANNOT BE EXPORTED

This is a new but as yet taxonomically undescribed species from Tanzania. Collected by Mike Massara, it is a tall shrub, at least in our collection, with small, deciduous leaves. It apparently forms a pachycaul trunk in time. Not much information for sure, but then it's all that we know.

Also known as a Peperomia fosteri. A very decorative vining, epiphytic species with oblong lanceolate leaves, deep green with light green or yellowish stripes. The stem is fleshy and develops adventitious roots at the nodes which also produce leaves in clusters of three, in a whorled pattern. Native to wet forests from Guyana to Brazil as an epiphyte or lithophyte. Useful in terrariums or in a hanging pot. The stems can climb or grow scandent or prostrate.

A bizarre, epiphytic, caudiciform plant native to New Guinea and northern Australia. It belongs to the family Rubiaceae that includes coffee. It has a globular caudex with some bumps but mainly smooth, glossy, skin and many tiny openings that lead to a labyrinth of interior chambers.

The leaves are curled, thick and leathery with a smooth surface, borne on a full crown of small limbs that also bear fleshy fruit. In nature it maintains a symbiotic relationship with ants that make a home in its interior chambers, in exchange for providing food and protection to the plant.

In cultivation, no native ant species are attracted to it. Can be grown potted in loose, well-drained media, or mounted in the fashion of a Platycerium fern, using a thin layer of sphagnum moss. Needs frequent watering, but will not tolerate being constantly wet.

*VIPP offering - plants are ready to be re-potted into a larger basket

AGAVES, YUCCAS, AND RELATED PLANTS: A Gardener's Guide, Mary and Gary Irish, 384 pp, 100 color photos, 6 x 9in, hardcover, ©2000 Outlining the gardening use of a many Agaves, Yuccas, and related species. For all with interest in this diverse and horticulturally important group of plants.