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Cyphostemma laza

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Photo by Mireille Riesenbeck.


The top and caudex - quite some distance apart.

Author:  Bernard M. Descoings, 1962
Family:  VITACEAE
Origin:  Northern Madagascar
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  50 Centimetres
Height:  5 Meters
Flower:  Brown / Green
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Laza is the Malagasy name.
Synonyms:  Cyphostemma laza var. parvifolia, Desc.

This member of the Vitaceae family was described by Bernard M. Descoings in 1962. Found on northern Madagascar, where it grows in well drained soil, moderate water and sun. The caudex grows to 50 cm in diameter, the vines reaches five meters. The flowers is brown-greenish, and seeds is the only way to reproduce.

It can't stand frost, the fruits are spherical, 1,5 cm, red and poisonous.

The genera name from the Greek kyphos; 'tumor' or ,'hump' and stemma; 'garland' or 'crown'. The species name after the locals' name for the plant.


Found this one on Madagascar.