Monsonia camdeboensis (Candle Bush)

Scientific Name

Monsonia camdeboensis (Moffett) F.Albers

Common Name(s)

Candle Bush

Synonym(s)

Sarcocaulon camdeboense

Scientific Classification

Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Monsonia

Description

Monsonia camdeboensis is a low-growing shrub that grows up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall, usually broader than tall. Most branches grow roughly parallel to the ground. The stems have waxy grayish-orange bark and long grey spines. The small fleshy leaves are deciduous during winter when plants are exposed to severe frost. When present, the leaves are folded upwards slightly and have an entire purplish margin. The pale yellow open-faced flowers appear during mid-summer.

Monsonia camdeboensis (Candle Bush) — *Photo via pukubook.jp*

Hardiness

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

How to Grow and Care

Monsonia species are generally easy to cultivate. Except for Monsonia camdeboensis and Monsonia vanderietiae, they rarely produce an extensive new root system once transplanted. Transplanted specimens flower sporadically in cultivation but survive for many years.

Seed-grown plants, in contrast, thrive and flower prolifically in cultivation. The ideal cultivation medium for most species is silt collected from the sides of road culverts, to which a small amount of bone meal and some ordinary, sandy garden soil has been added. Seeds should be sown just under the surface of the soil in large seed trays. They should be planted out into individual containers when they are about two years old.

All Monsonia species require direct sunlight when in full growth. Seedlings need to be regularly watered while they are in active growth and occasionally during dormancy.

Monsonia salmoniflora has a good deal of potential for the landscaping trade. The species is easily and relatively quickly grown from seed, and long lived.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Monsonia.

Origin

This species is native to South Africa.