asclepiadaceae succulent Fockea edulis capensis

asclepiadaceae succulent Fockea edulis capensisFockea capensis is a caudiciform succulent with an enlarged, water storing, root called a caudex belonging to the Milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae). Its foliage is thin, creeping or vining, with opposing, elliptical oval leaves with strongly crisped margins. Its flowers are small and insignificant, with greenish, twisted, star shaped, flattened lobes. A single specimen of this curious and rare plant was sent to Europe in the Schonbrunn Palace Gardens

Fockea capensis is a caudiciform succulent with an enlarged, water-storing, root called a caudex belonging to the Milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae). Its foliage is thin, creeping or vining, with opposing, elliptical-oval leaves with strongly crisped margins. Its flowers are small and insignificant, with greenish, twisted, star-shaped, flattened lobes. A single specimen of this curious and rare plant was sent to Europe in the Schonbrunn Palace Gardens some time before 1800. Then it was thought to be the unique survivor of some prehistoric form, but others like it are now known in the dry parts of West Griqualand, near Prince Albert. F. capensis is one of oldest succulent in captivity of considerable interest on account of its great rarity and its apparent great longevity.

Fockea capensis is found only in the southern portion of South Africa where it grows on the Little Karoo (Western Cape).

Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz