Dorstenia gypsophila

Scientific Name

Dorstenia gypsophila Lavranos

Scientific Classification

Family: Moraceae
Tribe: Dorstenieae
Genus: Dorstenia

Etymology

The specific epithet "gypsophila" (pronounced "jip-SOF-il-uh") means "gypsum-loving" and refers to the habitat of this species, which grows in arid, gypsum-rich areas.

Origin

Dorstenia gypsophila is native to Somalia.

Description

Dorstenia gypsophila is a rare, caudiciform plant with several branches that rise from a swollen trunk and bear leaves clustered near the tips. It can grow up to 6.6 feet (2 m) tall, while the trunk can reach a diameter of 20 inches (50 cm).

This species has both male and female flowers on the same specimen. They are tiny, light brown, grouped in flat inflorescences called hypanthodium, and appear at the apex of the branches in the fall.

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 that require slightly 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 your Dorstenias regularly and abundantly from spring to fall. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, but ensure it never dries out completely. During the winter months, they tend to go at least partially dormant. During this period, water Dorstenia very little. Providing plants with a warm, sunny position can result in beautiful, compact, and well-growing plants. Fertilizing plants periodically during their growing period with a high-potash and phosphorus fertilizer is recommended.

With a high-temperature swing between day and night hours and frequent rains, spring weather can favor the development of fungal 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 are liable to populate pots several feet away. They can also be propagated by cuttings.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Dorstenia.

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