A most unusual form of ‘Bat Plant’ with the bizarre flowers with long tendrils. This one mimics the look of an Amorphophallus, with the petiolate umbrella leaf but is in the Dioscoreaceae or yam family. The inflorescence is on its own stem, coming from the tuber. In nature this plant is found in Africa, across Southeast Asia to Northern Australia and has been spread by humans across the Indo-Pacific as food. Amazingly, it remains rare in collections. This plant is known as Polynesian Arrowroot, Pia, and on Singapore; the Seashore Bat Lily. The leaves are light green, on a tall petiole, to over three feet in some, deeply incised with many lobes. The flowers in this species are mainly green to slightly purple, with long ‘whiskers’. A deciduous species that when dormant should be allowed to dry out somewhat. New growth and flowers will appear in spring.

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

A woody shrub-like spineless Euphorbia from southern Madagascar, which forms a silver-barked trunk and full crown of branches with narrow dark green/gray leaves.

Most amazing is the size of the caudex it ultimately makes, a gourd-like, woody main root up to 6 inches thick which can be elevated above the soil. Makes a great succulent bonsai subject.

*We just lifted all of these on the offering and they look fantastic! We are giving these away at this price!

A nice assortment of succulent plants, just right for planting in terrariums, dish gardens or moving up to larger pots. Chosen for variety and suitability to the drier terrarium environment, they are nice and full for their pot size.

We normally have about six to eight varieties from which the collections are made up. To keep prices low, these plants are not supplied with name labels and are strictly 'grower's choice' assortments. 

A really unusual and decorative novelty. This epiphytic cactus from Central America has flattened, strap-like stems with deeply crenate margins. This monstrose form has stems that are twisted and curled in a most peculiar fashion. A night bloomer with three inch white flowers that are followed by large showy pink fruits about the size of ping-pong balls. Easy to grow and can be propagated from cuttings or as we prefer, by seed.

Note: This plant is on C.I.T.E.S. and can not be exported.

This ‘other worldly’ curiosity is a fig relative from Tanzania and is a larger grower than most other Dorstenia species, reaching well over 12 inches. The trunk is swollen and knobby with many side branches. The bright green leaves are rather long, arching and cupped. The ‘flowers’ are hand-like structures called hypanthodiums and look like green sunflowers. Very popular, easy to cultivate species.

A species of Rhipsalis that came from Porto Allegre in Rio Grande do Sul state in southern Brazil. This is more than likely a well known species but as of yet we have not been able to get a positive identity. It is common in the area around and in the city, growing in huge cascades on trees along the boulevards and streets and parklands.

Weather in this area of Brazil can be quite cool to even cold in winter with snowfall not uncommon. It bears resemblance to R. teres and could be that species or another, similar one. As our efforts to identify this plant bear fruit we will publish the name using the same code number.

Note: C.I.T.E.S.  –  No Export

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

A procumbent, shrub-like Euphorbia with a surprisingly ample caudex. The plant is a low grower with pencil thick branches bearing tiny spines. When in leaf, the foliage is oblong, with wavy margins and slightly pubescent. The cyathea vary from chartreuse to tan or pinkish-red. The caudex will form underground but can be elevated above the soil. It gets quite thick, to about 2 inches in time. Native to the area of Tongobory in southeastern Madagascar.

Dorstenia crispa A curious fig relative from Somalia. Growing only to about 8in tall, it has a branching, conical trunk bearing round leaf scars in a spiral pattern. The leaves are cupped and rather ‘crinkly’, grayish-green. Flower-like structures are fruiting bodies called hypanthodiums.

Not to be confused with Adenium, a completely different genus. Actually succulent forms of the Passifloraceae or Passion Flower family, many Adenias form thick stems which endear them to caudiciform plant lovers. However, when young they little resemble the future finished product. Typical young venenata are tall and resemble an upside-down elongated carrot.

The leaves are accompanied by thread-like tendrils which vine around any available object. The caudex thickens with age and can reach 6 feet in very old plants and the vine can go on for 30 feet or more, but can be trimmed to keep it manageable. Leaves are stelate and the flowers are tiny, green and dioecious. Native to central and eastern Africa.

Rhipsalis cf elliptica (ISI 96-16) Brazil, has elongated elliptical stems that are unusually thick and stiff. The margins are almost smooth, slightly crenate, the flowers yellow with red fruits. Makes a very nice hanging basket subject.

Note: this plant is on C.I.T.E.S. and cannot be exported, sorry.

For lovers of weird, a nearly leafless, shrub-like member of the Didiereaceae that can reach nearly 10 feet tall but grows in a rather haphazard clump of tangled branches.  The cylindrical stems are kind of olive green with silver tricomes and bears scattered conical spines which are stout but not ‘dangerous’. 

Native to southern coastal Madagascar in the regions of the thorn forest from near sea level to almost 1,000 feet. A dioecious species that requires both sexes to set seed, but is easily propagated from cuttings.  Reportedly slow growing but we do not find this to be especially true.  Best grown in full sun to partial shade, well drained soils and moderate watering.  Protect from freezing.

Only a few Rhipsalis are found outside of tropical America, this one coming from Madagascar. Narrow, terete stems often retain small hair-like spines throughout their life that look spiny but are as soft as fur. It bears small, fleshy, green flowers followed by green fruits. An epiphyte to lithophyte found in seasonally dry forest.

Note: This plant is on C.I.T.E.S. and can not be exported.