Succulent of the Week (2011-02-21) Monadenium stoloniferun

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lancer99
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Succulent of the Week (2011-02-21) Monadenium stoloniferun

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Monadenium stoloniferum

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Growth Habit: Small-growing, at most 5-7 cm tall, sprawling and spreading, with small (3cm) caudexes.

Scientific name: Monadenium stoloniferum (BALLY) S. Carter

Common names: None.

Etymology: Generic name from the Greek, "mono" (one) and "aden" (gland), referring to the single fused nectar gland, which differentiates monadeniums from euphorbias. Specific name from their habit of spreading by stolons.

Taxonomy: This was described as a subspecies of M. rhizophorum by P.R.O. Bally in 1961. In 1987, Susan Carter raised it to the rank of species. All monadeniums were moved into Euphorbia by Bruyns in 2006 on the basis of genetic studies, but given their distinctive floral characteristics, many feel that it's useful to keep them separate. Under the new classification, the name is Euphorbia neostolonifera (BALLY) Bruyns.

Distribution: In habitat, it has an extremely limited range, known only from from its type locality (Kenya, Masai District). Uncommon in cultivation.

Habitat: Grasslands at an elevation of 1900m.

Cultivation: You really couldn't ask for an easier grower. A bit of sun, a lot of water (but allow it to mostly dry out between waterings) and it will happily spread, flower, and grow its peanut-sized caudexes (if they can even be called that!). In summer, the leaves turn an attractive red/purple color, as seen in the second pic.

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Flowers: It does need sun to flower, but the leaves are more interesting that the flowers (cyathia).
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Minimum temperature: The average minimum in the Masai District is just above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I keep mine at a minimum of 55 degrees.

Conservation Status: Despite its limited range in habitat, it isn't protected.
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