“Ceropegia” Genus

Named by the great Carl Linnaeus, this genus is endemic to Africa, Australia, and southern Asia. It is a relatively large genus with at least four hundred and twenty known species. It belongs to the family Apocynaceae in the milkweed subfamily. Plants in this genus can be characterized as perennial herbs; some have waxy leaves. These waxy leaves are the basis of the plant’s etymology. Its name comes from two Greek words; ‘keros’ which means wax and ‘pege’ meaning stream.

The most widespread common characteristic in this genus is their pitfall flowers. These flowers usually have a tubular corolla. The corolla has five petals; in most instances, the petals are fused at the tips. As a result of this fusion, the flowers look like an umbrella. At the center of fused petals is an appendage-like antennae. Leaves are thick and fleshy in some species but they can also be simple and absent in others. These plants are climbers with thin stems making this genus well-suited for ornamental hanging baskets.

Ceropegia Plants On Succulent City