What are the plants in the Asclepiadaceae family?
A detailed introduction about the plants in the Asclepiadaceae family and the maintenance tips for Asclepiadaceae succulents, followingly, the editor will provide you with a detailed explanation.
Asclepiadaceae succulents have always been a relatively obscure category among the numerous succulents, as they not only look simple and unadorned like cacti but also contain toxic alkaloids in their sap. Although they have beautiful flowers, most species emit a faint decomposing odor during the flowering period to attract insects for pollination, hence not many people cultivate such succulents!
Three Uncommon but Interesting Asclepiadaceae Succulents:
【1】Haworthia sweet ring:
Haworthia sweet ring, also known as Zebra Haworthia, belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family, Haworthia genus succulents, native to the African region, preferring a warm, dry, and sunny environment. Its appearance is somewhat similar to cacti, with fleshy leaves having a rhombic structure and the edges of the ridges having sharp锯齿. The young leaves are bright green, and the old stems become slightly woody. When mature, it usually blooms in summer, with unique and interesting flowers. Not only do the flowers have a standard star shape, but they also have regular zebra or leopard patterns, and the center of the flower forms a convex circle like a chocolate-covered donut, giving a sweet and lovely image, hence the name Haworthia sweet ring. Besides Haworthia sweet ring, there are also chocolate sweet ring, pink flower sweet ring, and leopard pattern sweet ring, all named after their flower colors.
【2】Persian carpet:
Mentioning Persian carpet always brings to mind the exotic patterns of textiles, who would think it could also be a succulent plant! Persian carpet, also known as giant dragon horn, belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family, giant dragon horn genus succulents, native to the tropical regions of Africa, with fleshy stems that are green and have a rhombic structure. The edges of the ridges are covered with dense and prominent thorn cushions, looking like unremarkable cactus columns from a distance. However, when flowering season comes, it produces eye-catching star-shaped flowers with bright and regular patterns, as exquisite and beautiful as a Persian carpet!
【3】Purple dragon horn:
Purple dragon horn, also known as water buffalo horn, belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family, water buffalo horn genus succulents, with fleshy stems that are light gray all year round. The stems are scattered with prominent thorn cushions, and when there is sufficient sunlight or a significant temperature difference between day and night, the originally gray fleshy stems can also show distinct purple patches. The sharp thorn cushions on its fleshy stems resemble horns, hence the name "purple dragon horn." Like other Asclepiadaceae succulents, it is also a summer-blooming species, with red-brown star-shaped flowers, the center of which is concave, making it look like a distinct little star with a sense of立体感, adding a touch of cuteness to its otherwise unremarkable appearance!
What are the plants in the Asclepiadaceae family?
Although Asclepiadaceae succulents are obscure, they are not difficult to care for:
Asclepiadaceae succulents prefer a sunny, warm, and dry environment. Due to their toxic sap and the odor during flowering, they are generally placed in well-ventilated outdoor or balcony environments for care. Their suitable growth temperature is between 10-32℃, avoiding waterlogging and excessive exposure to the sun in summer, and not tolerant to severe cold in winter, with an overwintering temperature not lower than 5℃. The cultivation medium is mainly sandy loam soil that is loose, breathable, and has good drainage. Using ceramsite or coal cinder as a base when potting can help prevent waterlogging and root rot. Daily maintenance involves watering when the soil is dry, and in spring and autumn, applying a thin layer of fertilizer can promote vigorous growth and flowering. Propagation is mainly through cutting and sowing, with cuttings involving taking a section of stem, drying the wound, and then planting; sowing propagation can be attempted during the flowering period through artificial pollination to increase the probability of seed formation.Although Asclepiadaceae succulents are a niche group, they have won the favor of many plant enthusiasts due to their simple care and unique shapes during flowering. If you also like interesting succulents, Asclepiadaceae succulents are worth considering! This article shares the plants in the Asclepiadaceae family and the full content of the introduction to Asclepiadaceae succulents, hoping to be helpful to green plant enthusiasts!