The Succulent Plant Page: Asclepiadaceae

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The Succulent Plant Page Families of Succulent Plants Summary of Asclepiad genera Asclepias Gomphocarpus Brachystelma Caralluma Ceropegia Duvalia Echidnopsis Fockea Frerea Hoodia Hoya Huernia Orbea Periploca Philibertia Piaranthus Rhytidocaulon Sarcostemma Stapelia Tavaresia Vincetoxicum Cultivation of Asclepiads International Asclepiad Society Asclepius - about the name Blow Flies Site Map Glossary of Botanical terms Bookmarks: Asclepiadaceae Mailing Lists: Stapeliad Email: webmaster	Bookmarks: Asclepiadaceae Botanical Glossary SITEMAP Email: webmaster
	The *Asclepiadaceae* comprise a large and diverse group of about two-thousand species of plants split into 300 genera. Asclepiads deserve wider recognition by plant enthusiasts for their unusual and often brightly coloured flowers, with a characteristic five-fold symmetry. In many species the cut stem exudes a milky sap (hence the common name "milkweed") and the flowers are followed by pairs of pods containing tightly-packed seeds attached to silky parachutes. Some species are pollinated by blow-flies and the perfume and hairy texture of some of the flowers in this group mimics that of rotting carrion. However, many Asclepiadaceae have unperfumed flowers, or in the case of the *Hoyas,* a sweet spicy scent produced during the evening and night. Stephanotis floribunda the 'Madagascar jasmine' is sold widely in garden centers because of its perfumed white flowers. Some non-succulent frost-hardy *Asclepias* species are suitable for use as garden plants and are attractive to butterflies and humming birds. However, in warmer countries species of Asclepias have become serious weeds. Relatively few botanical families have caught the imagination sufficiently to lead to the formation of a society - or indeed to have their own Web pages - this is one of them. The International Asclepiad Society publishes a Journal 'Asklepios' three times a year, covering a range of topics related to Asclepiads and other succulent Apocynaceae. Membership is open to all those who are interested in this group of plants.	The *Asclepiadaceae* were split from the Apocynaceae (Jussieu 1789) by Robert Brown in 1810. Following recent work on DNA and other studies, they have been merged back into a sub-group of the Apocynaceae. Most people seem to have accepted this revision, although only time will tell if it becomes permanent. Other succulent Apocynaceae include Adenium, Pachypodium and Plumeria. habitat photo: RJ Hodgkiss 1997 The Book Store Booklist: Cacti Booklist: Succulent Plants Booklist: Arid Gardening Booklist: Webmaster's Choice

	Asclepiad picture gallery
	I regret that the perfume of these flowers can not be transmitted, but you can click on the pictures to expand them. Plants grown and photographed by RJ Hodgkiss except where indicated. *Orbea ciliata (Diplocyatha ciliata)* This asclepiad from the South African Karroo has attractive off-white odourless flowers about 7.5 cm in diameter. It is relatively easy to grow and propagate and quite free-flowering, but likes to be kept warm. However, in 1996 plants kept absolutely dry survived in a cold-frame through an exceptionally cold U.K. winter. The fringe of hairs on each petal is disturbed by the slightest air currents and is almost always in motion. More Orbea images.
	*Frerea indica* Frerea (once included with Caralluma as C. frerei) is a monotypic genus from India, with a very limited distribution of plants growing in crevices of cliffs at altitudes of around 3000 ft. Although widely cultivated, it is considered endangered in its habitat. Frerea indica is unusual among stapeliads in having leaves. These can be shed in dry conditions. Some clones have flowers with ciliated edges, although the petals of this specimen only have a few hairs. In cultivation, this plant needs to be kept warm, especially through the winter. Seen here in flower at RBG Kew.
	*Huernia boleana* An easily-grown Huernia, with attractively furry flowers, about 2 cm in diameter. The flowers of many Huernias produce a characteristic perfume rather similar to that of a mouse that has been dead for some time, and is especially pronounced in my clone of this species. Huernia Boleana is found growing on cliffs in the Bole valley in Ethiopia. More Huernia images.
	*Orbea hardyi (Stultitia hardyi)* An interesting plant from the Transvaal, with brittle stems that tend to break at the joints. Hence when repotting, it is difficult to preserve a large plant intact and one tends to end up with a handful of cuttings. In any case the stems tend to elongate and grow out of their pot, so a good specimen plant is a challenge. The stems become attractively marbled in a strong light. The attractive (but smelly) flowers, about 7.5 cm in diameter, generally open facing down on my plant and are therefore hard to photograph - except for this one.

Asclepias erosa
The semi-succulent desert milkweed with striking green balls of florets, photographed in April 1995, in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California. Asclepias species produce nectar which attracts pollinator flies such as hoverflies and wasps such as the tarantula wasp. Desert milkweed is widespread from southern Utah to southeastern California, western Arizona and northwestern Mexico.
Asclepias species are often known as "butterfly weeds" and cultivated as the food plant of the caterpillars of several species of butterflies including the North American Monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus.
More Asclepias images.

habitat photographs:
RJ Hodgkiss

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Asclepiad picture gallery