Adenia stylosa (Candlestick Plant)

Scientific Name

Adenia stylosa (Perr.) Hearn

Common Names

Candlestick Plant, Purple Vine of Evil

Synonyms

Adenia epigea var. stylosa, Adenia firingalavensis var. stylosa

Scientific Classification

Family: Passifloraceae
Subfamily: Passifloroideae
Tribe: Passifloreae
Genus: Adenia

Description

Adenia stylosa is a pachycaul shrub or liana forming a tangle of fleshy twisted stems radiating out from a green, extraordinary hard caudex looking like a mountain-shaped candle with melting wax coming down. The caudex can grow up to 6.7 feet (2 m) tall, usually less than 20 inches (50 cm), and up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. Leaves are heart-shaped or bell-shaped, purple-violet to dark green with dark red veins. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. Flowers are pale yellow or greenish-white and open on the tendrils in spring and summer.

Adenia stylosa - Candlestick Plant — *Photo via bihrmann.com*

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 11a to 11b: from 40 °F (+4.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Adenia plants are summer growers and can be watered and feed regularly if planted in fast-draining soil. Let the soil dry between watering if you are in a humid climate.

Most of your growth will be during the warm season, and the plant will have the most leaves. The plant will also grow best with the leaves exposed to bright light but the caudex shaded.

During the cool months, protect the plant from frost to keep it alive. The plant normally rests during this period, and water should be kept to a minimum. However, you can keep the plant active if you can keep it above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

Their sap is poisonous, and they should be handled with caution, particularly when pruning.

Most cuttings do not produce a caudex, so it is best to propagate by seeds. Adenias are either male or female, so one of each is required to produce seeds.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Adenia.

Origin

Endemic to northern Madagascar.