Ceropegia sandersonii

Ceropegia sandersonii is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae that is native to Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland. Common names are parachute plant, fountain flower, and umbrella plant.

Ceropegia sandersonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Ceropegia
Species:
C. sandersonii
Binomial name
Ceropegia sandersonii
Decne. ex Hook.f.

It is an evergreen, prostrate, slender twiner, nearly hairless, with sparse, succulent leaves. The roots form narrowly fusiform clusters. The distinctive greenish white funnel-shaped (having a corolla-tube) flowers are 5–7 cm long and are placed on a delicate stalk. Due to the fact that the corolla lobes are partially fused, the opening of the flowers is partially inhibited. The tips of the petals do not separate, but instead form a roof or umbrella-like dome on the flower, while the fused bottom forms the tube. The openings between the petals are also referred to as windows, hence the name windowed flowers.[1] The flower itself serves as a biological fly-pollinated pitfall-trap, that traps flies when they descend into the corolla tube. Small hairs that point downwards prevent the insect from escaping. Once trapped, the fly is thoroughly covered in pollen and only released when the flower reaches the end of its life and the hairs weaken.

This species attracts Desmometopa flies of the family Milichiidae by simulating the scent of an injured honey bee, tricking the flies into pollinating.[2]

Cultivation

In temperate regions this tender plant is cultivated as a houseplant. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit[3] (confirmed 2017).[4]

References
  1. Focko Weberling (Author), R. J. Pankhurst (Translator) (1992); Morphology of Flowers and Inflorescences. Cambridge University Press; New edition.
  2. http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/47214/title/To-Attract-Pollinators--Flower-Mimics-Wounded-Bee/#post143971
  3. "RHS Plant Selector - Ceropegia sandersonii". Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  4. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 16. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
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