Caudiciform are an un-scientific collection plants, across divisions, orders and families [2]. Common denominator are the perennial swollen caudexes (i.e. tuber, bulb, stem) or similar.
For most of the species, the caudex is a water-reservoir for the dry period. One of them has a hollow caudex, in which ant live. In return for this home, they protect it from other insects. Often the plants loose their branches and vines, when they go dormant, leaving only the caudex and the bigger roots. This reduces the evaporation. Others will (in nature) grow larger and larger, and only flower after many years.
Some of the plants are diocious (Dutch: tweehuizig), which means; there are different male- and female plants. Others are monoecious (Dutch: eenhuizig), both male- and female flowers grow on the same plant. Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily mean they can self-pollinate. Luckily, it is possible to make cuttings of many of them. But, the cuttings do not necessarily form a caudex.
Sometimes caudexes lay deep down in the ground, protected from extreme weather conditions and animals. Some of these will not stand to be exposed and hence seem of less interest to those interested in the estetics of the caudex. Others are partly exposed, and finally those that are fully exposed. That can be a result of the habitat: bare rocks with small cracks, leaving no room for a caudex.
A number of caudiciform are used as a crop around the world, for instance the yam. Others are highly poisonous, as a natural result of living in hostile environments, where every leaf is valuable for both animals and plants.
Caudicifom are plants with a swollen trunk, a Spherical or turnip-like body or a thickened, fleshy root (caudex).
The following growth forms are distinguished:
Dioscorea elephantipes (Elephant's Foot, Hottentot-Bread)
Dioscorea glauca (prev. Montana)
Dorstenia crispa var. lancifolia
Kedrostis punctulata or is it Zygosicyos tripartitus ?
Sinningia canescens (C. Martius) Wiehler (Brazilian Edelweiss)
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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SPECKS 0395 |
Passifloraceae |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Tanzania, Ruvuma province |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Exotica (€ 7,50) |
March 2004 |
4,5 cm, 3 cm |
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Reproduction |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
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Observations |
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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SPECKS 0378 |
Asclepiadaceae [3] |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Tanzania, Ruvuma province |
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Spotted flower |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Exotica (€ 9,-) |
March 2004 |
4,5 cm, - 0,5 cm |
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Reproduction |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
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Observations |
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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ES 02987 |
Asclepiadaceae [3] |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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RSA, Stutterheim |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Exotica (€ 9,-) |
March 2004 |
4 cm, - 0 cm |
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Reproduction |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
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Observations |
Died mid 2005. Too much water I think ! |
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Dioscorea elephantipes (Elephant's Foot, Hottentot-Bread)
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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Engler 1908 |
Dioscoreaceae [3] |
Testudinaria e |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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South Africa: Suith Cape |
1 m, 5 m |
Yellow |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Keep moist |
Half shade, caudex: shade |
Mix |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Grootscholten, Honselersdijk |
Sept 2003 |
7,5 cm, 4 cm |
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Reproduction |
From seed, difficult from cuttings |
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Culture |
Last potting: Sept 2003 |
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Description |
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Remarks |
Tuber contains saponins, originally cooked and eaten as a famine food by the Hottentots. This member of the Dioscoreaceae family was described by Engler in 1908 (first by L´Her.). It is from southern Africa, where it growes in the dark, wet winter. Preferes good peat. The caudex will grow to more than a meter in diameter. The vines easily reach 5 meters. Bouth male and female flowers are yellow, and seeds are the only way to reproduce. |
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Observations |
Caudex structure and patterns seem very different for every specimen. This one does not have the crystal like elements in the caudex you mostly see. It has more organic “cracks”. |
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Dioscorea glauca (prev. Montana) |
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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Rusby 1907, Muhl. Ex Beck |
Dioscoreaceae [3] |
Testudinaria montana |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Namibia, Swartberg above Kruisridder |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Grootscholten, Honselersdijk |
Sept 2003 |
2,5 cm, 1,5 cm (3 year seedling) |
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Reproduction |
From seed, difficult from cuttings |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
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Observations |
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Dorstenia crispa var. lancifolia
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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ES 0113 |
Moraceae [3] |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Somalia |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Exotica (€ 7,50) |
March 2004 |
4 cm, 2 cm |
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Reproduction |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
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Observations |
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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Schweinf. |
Moraceae [3] |
Dorstenia obovata [6] |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Eteopia, Somalia |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Keep moist |
Partial to full shade |
Well-drained soil mix |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Grootscholten, Honselersdijk |
Sept 2003. died in Jan 2004 |
1,5 cm, 1,5 cm (3 year seedling) |
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Reproduction |
Propagation by seed. The seed-pods open explosively, ejecting seed up to 1-2 meters (3-5 feet) from the plant. If one wants to collect seed, it is best to bag the pods. Seed germinate readily at 21° C (70° F). |
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Culture |
Almost ever-green. Flowers during the whole growth period. The tentacle-like bracts are termed a hypanthodium (Dutch: bloeiwijze) on which small flowers arise. Dorstenia foetida needs partial shade to full shade with warm temperatures and a well-drained soil mix. Use a soil mix with 2 parts sand to 1 part loam. During the growing season, the plant gets watered and then allowed to dry slightly, making sure that it never dries out completely. It can be fertilized once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. During the winter months, it will exhibit some leaf loss. During this period, it should be given very little water. |
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Description |
Dorstenia foetida is a native of Arabia and Ethiopia. It is an evergreen perennial with thick dark green- to mahogany-colored stems and light green lancolate leaves. It is a strange looking plant that can reach about 30 cm (12 inches) in height in a container. |
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Remarks |
Featured as Plant of the Week 183, October 4-10, 2002 [5]. |
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Observations |
Flowering when we purchased it (multiple flowers). Sweet smelling (bazooka chewing gum), as foetida does imply. Died in January 2004, probably too much water (again). |
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[5]
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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ES 4020 |
Moraceae [3] |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Somalia |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Exotica (€ 4,-) |
March 2004 |
3; 1,5 cm, 5 cm |
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Reproduction |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
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Observations |
Same story. |
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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K.Schum. 1895 |
Asclepiadaceae [3] |
Fockea glabra (Decne 1844) |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Namibia, Port Elizabeth |
60 cm, 2 m |
White, 0,5 to 1,5 cm, not very showy, but lightly scented. Blooming time is Summer. |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Ample water in summer Almost dry in winter |
Light shade |
Coarse, gritty media with peat |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Unknown |
± 1990 |
- |
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Reproduction |
Plants are dioecious reproduction from seeds and by cutting the caudex. The latter seems difficult though. |
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Culture |
Water regularly in summer and water only enough to keep the tuber from shriveling in winter. Rot prone in winter, keep on the dry side [6]. It is deciduous and all foliage will be lost in the winter dormancy period. Since it is a vine, some type of support is needed.
Should be given an ample pot for its large, succulent caudex and thick roots.
The caudex grows fastest if covered with soil and should always be shaded. It can’t stand frost.
Soil mix consisting of 1 part peat moss to 1 part loam to 2 parts sand |
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Description |
Fockea edulis is a cauciciform vine. This Asclepiadaceae grows in southern Africa, and was described by Schum. in 1895. |
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Remarks |
The caudex is theoretically edible (edulis). It is said that the Hottentots used to eat the tuber. Fockea edulis was featured as Plant of the Week September 15-21, 2000 [5]. |
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Observations |
It looks like it has two kinds of branches, one tree-like, the other vines. Although it shows decreased activity in the January – April period it never goes in dormancy and always caries some leafs.
Our specimen flowers in October (2003, 2004). |
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[6]
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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ES 0113 |
Cucurbitaceae [3] |
Lobutus |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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South ans East Africa |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Exotica (€ 7,50) |
March 2004 |
6 cm, 3 cm |
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Reproduction |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
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Observations |
Died by the end of 2004. |
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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SPECKS 0395 |
Convolvulaceae [3] |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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South ans East Africa |
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White with pink centre |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Exotica (€ 6,-) |
March 2004 |
3,5 cm, 4 cm |
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Reproduction |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
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Observations |
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Kedrostis punctulata or is it Zygosicyos tripartitus ?
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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Cogniaux |
Cucurbitaceae [3] |
Xerosicyos fripatitum |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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South Africa |
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Small, green |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Keep moist |
Medium sun |
Mix |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Flower market, Amsterdam |
August 2003 |
10 cm, 4 cm |
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Reproduction |
From seeds and by cutting the caudex. It is monocious, with small green flowers. The female flower sits single, close to the vine. The flowers are 4-5 mm (1/9"). |
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Culture |
This member of the Cucurbitaceae was discribed by Cogn. and is found in South Africa. It preferes well-draind soil, lots of water in the growing-periode and some sun. |
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Description |
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Remarks |
Never stops growing it seems. |
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Observations |
Discoid caudex |
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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SPECKS 0369 |
Euphorbiaceae [3] |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Tanzania, Iringa province |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Exotica (€ 11,-) |
March 2004 |
5,5 cm, 4 cm |
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Reproduction |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
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Observations |
Died 2nd half 2004. |
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 April 2005 |
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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Euphorbiaceae [3] |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Madagascar |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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± 1987 |
6 cm, 80 cm (1995) |
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Reproduction |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
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Observations |
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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Asclepiadaceae [3] |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Somalia |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Grootscholten, Honselersdijk |
Sept 2003 |
2,3 cm, 1,5 cm (3 year seedling) |
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Reproduction |
From seeds only. |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
Not a real caudiciform but beautiful and peculiar nonetheless. |
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Observations |
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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Schltr. |
Periplocaceae [3] Asclepiadaceae ? [8] [9] |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Transvaal |
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6 – 10 mm, Green, purple soul |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Half shade |
Mix |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Grootscholten, Honselersdijk |
Sept 2003 |
14 cm, 10 cm |
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Reproduction |
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Culture |
Minimum temperature 10 – 14 °C |
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Description |
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Remarks |
Flowering when purchased. |
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Observations |
Globose caudex Starts groing again in beginning of February (2004)
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[7, 8]
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Sinningia canescens (C. Martius) Wiehler (Brazilian Edelweiss)
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Author |
Family |
Synonym |
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H.E. Moore, 1973 |
Gesneriaceae [3] |
Rechsteineria leucotricha, Sinningia leucotricha |
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Country of origin |
Max. Size (d, h) |
Flower |
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Brazil |
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Orange/red |
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Water |
Light |
Soil |
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Keep moist |
Sun |
Well drained |
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Source |
Date |
Size (d, h) |
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Flower market, Amsterdam |
Sept 2003 |
4 cm, 2 cm |
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Reproduction |
Seeds. Can also be reproduced by cuttings from the caudex |
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Culture |
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Description |
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Remarks |
The caudex grows mostly below the surfase. |
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Observations |
Starts groing again in beginning of February (2004) |
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[A]
Wondere wereld van cactussen en vetplanten, Werner
Rauh, La Rivière & Voorhoeve N.V., Zwolle Nertherlands, Original title:
Schöne kakteen und andere sukkulenten, Carl Winter, Universitätsverlag,
Heidelberg, Germany.
[1] The Highlands curture guide: http://www.highlandsucculents.com/culture_guide.htm a brief description of how to handle succulents.
[2] Birman’s Caudiciform: http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/ . Photos and information and lots more including taxonomy.
[3] Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M. J. (1992 onwards). ‘The Families of Flowering Plants: Descriptions, Illustrations, Identification, and Information Retrieval.’ Version: 19th August 1999. http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/ .
[4] University of Connecticut: Family index: http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/ .
[5] Plant of the week: http://www.plantoftheweek.org/ . Photos and information.
[6] Desert Tropicals.com: http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ . Photos and information.
[7] Fat Plant Photo Galery: http://www.gpdesert.com/Fat%20Plant%20Photos.html .
[8] Picture overview Bochum Botanical Garden: http://www.boga.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/html/ .
[9]
Cactus and Dintorni: http://www.cactusedintorni.com/succulente.htm
. Index and (Italian) descriptions.
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