Petopentia is a monotypic genus with Petopentia natalensis being the sole member. Petopentia natalensis is a caudiciform South African indigenous Asclepiad perennial-climber with a tuberous rootstock, commonly known as a caudex. The succulent caudex is often epigeal (above ground) and constricted into se... more details
Petopentia is a monotypic genus with Petopentia natalensis being the sole member. Petopentia natalensis is a caudiciform South African indigenous Asclepiad perennial-climber with a tuberous rootstock, commonly known as a caudex. The succulent caudex is often epigeal (above ground) and constricted into segments. The caudex is globose and can grow up to 40cm or more in diameter. The bark on the caudex is red-brown and finely fissured. The twining vines can climb up to 15m tall. They are glabrous, with white latex, becoming woody, often reddish or with red-brown verruculose, wax-like bark. The leathery leaves are smooth and shiny and have a distinctive purple underside. They are 8-13cm long and 2-4cm wide. The eye-catching flowers are about 3 cm in diameter and are a combination of brown, green and white. The cauduciforms in the trade with the tags Fockea tugelensis and Fockea natalensis have proven not to be that species but are actually Petopentia natalensis. Petopentia is easily distinguished from Fockea even when not in flower. The true affinities of the genus are with Raphionacme and its allies in subfamily Periplocoideae. Petopentia natalensis is an excellent climbing plant in culture as it stands the extremes of heat and cold better than most plants, it can quickly become overwhelming, it is better to install support for stems that can reach 7 meters, and when in bloom it is a very interesting plant.
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