There are over 60 species of Huernia in eastern and southern Africa. They form low clumps of erect multi angled spiny stems branching from the base. The Huernias are usually easy to grow. They should be kept relatively dry in winter, and can then be kept at 50°F (10°C). Use a gritty, fast draining soil, and let it get quite dry before watering. Huernia should not be exposed to direct sun that make them turn brown, and stop your growth. They prefer a bright shade. They are sensitive to mealy bugs, and should be checked regularly. Propagation is easy by stem cuttings. If laid down on soil, they will grow roots.
The 1-inch wide flowers (2.5 cm) are pollinated by flies, but have less or none of the characteristic carrion smell of other related asclepiads. These flowers have red, yellow, and brown in them in a pattern characteristic of the species. They form in liberally at the tip of the stems. They are self-sterile and flowers from several clones are needed to produce viable seeds.
Huernia boleana Huernia schneiderana Huernia verekeri Desert Tropicals Home Page List of All the Plants | More in the Asclepiadaceae family Desert-Tropicals is dedicated to provide gardening advice, gardening ideas, and information about flower of all kind for landscape and collections.We try to check carefully the identification of the plants on the illustrations as well as the other information from the page, but occasionally errors do occur. if you notice anything that needs to be changed please contact us.Thanks. © 1998-2020 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved. |