Ceropegia dichotoma

Ceropegia dichotoma
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Ceropegia
Species:	C. dichotoma
Binomial name
Ceropegia dichotoma Haw.

Ceropegia dichotoma (Spanish, Cardoncillo) is a flowering plant in the genus Ceropegia (Apocynaceae). It is endemic to the Canary Islands, where it grows on Tenerife (Macizo de Anaga, Buenavista del Norte and Barranco del Infierno in Adeje), El Hierro, La Gomera, and La Palma in the Tabaibal-Cardonal zone at up to about 600 m altitude. It was first described in 1812.

It can grow up to 1.2 m in height, and is abundantly in terrains with good drainage in grainy soil and plenty of sun and prolonged dry climate. The flowers are grouped from two to seven at the end of the trunk; each flower 3 cm long, tubular, pale yellow, with five narrow lobes joined at the tip; flowering is in autumn and winter. The fruit is a pair of large horn-shaped capsules up to 12 cm long.

Uses

The plant is used as an ornamental plant in arid gardens. It requires hot conditions to grow well.

It is closely related to Ceropegia fusca.

External links

• Pérez, M. Á. C. (1999). Native Flora of the Canary Islands. Everest, León. ISBN 84-241-3555-5.
• Ceropegia dichotoma and other plants in Tenerife