Rhytidocaulon macrolobum | World of Succulents

Scientific Name

Rhytidocaulon macrolobum Lavranos

Scientific Classification

Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Genus: Rhytidocaulon

Description

Rhytidocaulon macrolobum is a small to medium sized Asclepiads branching to form a miniature tree. The stems are light to dark brown becoming grayish-brown as they ages, cylindrical, with a rough, wrinkled aged texture. The main stem is up to 12 inches (30 cm) long and up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) in diameter. Branches are shorter and more slender. The leaves are small and lanceolate to narrowly triangular. The flowers are small, up to 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) wide, variable in color and banding usually black or dark-maroon, but also dark-purple, dark green-brown or green, inside basally cream-colored cross-banded with red-brown and the center has often red tones to it with purple frilly vibratile hairs on the margins.

Photo by Evelyn Durst via juzaphoto.com

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 9a to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Stapeliads are relatively easy to grow. They should be treated as an outdoor plant as they will easily rot indoors and cannot flower without exposure to outdoor temperature fluctuations. They should be grown under cover so that watering can be controlled. They require a reasonable amount of sunlight to promote flowering and maintain a well shaped plant. Very shady positions will produce very poor flowering. Stapeliads come from climates where they survive extremely high temperatures in the summer months so most growth is in spring and autumn, with flowering in autumn when the weather starts to cool down. In growing season, water in moderation when needed, making sure soil is fairly dried out between waterings. Do not water between November 1 and March 1.

The easiest and best way to propagate Stapeliads is from stem cuttings which can be taken virtually throughout the year. Seed is also a method of propagation… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Stapeliads