Dorstenia barnimiana

Scientific Name

Dorstenia barnimiana Schweinf.

Synonym(s)

Dorstenia barnimiana var. barnimiana, Dorstenia ophioglossoides, Dorstenia palmata, Dorstenia telekii, Dorstenia triternata, Kosaria barnimiana, Kosaria palmata

Scientific Classification

Family: Moraceae
Tribe: Dorstenieae
Genus: Dorstenia

Description

Dorstenia barnimiana is a stemless or nearly stemless monoecious plant with a slightly depressed or subglobose caudex up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. It grows up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall. Leaves are more or less succulent, orbicular, cordate at the base or palmate, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, and up to 4.4 inches (11 cm) wide. Flowers are green and brown, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and 0.4 inches (1 cm) wide. They appear on up to 10 inches (25 cm) long peduncles.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b: from 35 °F (+1.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Dorstenias are warm-loving plants, and they need a bit more water than regular succulents. They need a well-drained potting mix, and their water needs vary depending on the season of the year. Water regularly to abundant from spring to fall. Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering, but ensure that they never dry out completely. These plants tend to go at least partially dormant during the winter months. During this period, water very little. Giving plants a warm, sunny position can result in beautiful compact growing plants. Fertilizing plants once in a while during their growing period with a high potash and phosphorus fertilizer is recommended.

The spring weather with a high-temperature swing between the day and night hours and pretty frequent rains can favor the development of fungus diseases, which should be treated preemptively with a systemic fungicide.

Dorstenias are generally propagated by seed. Many species are self-fertile. Their seeds are expelled explosively from the mature seed heads and liable to populate pots several feet away. They can also be propagated by cuttings.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Dorstenia.

Origin

This species is native to East Africa.

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