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Monadenium ritchei ssp. nymbayense is a beautiful and desirable plant
with fat thick sculptured stems.
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Description: It is a small clumping succulent that form large compact
clumps with time.
Stems: Short, thick, light green, tuberculate freely branching from the base
or from underground suckers , up to 30cm tall, each stem 3 cm wide.
Spines: Small and very short.
Leaves: 2,5-4 cm long, light green deciduous and fleshy. If grown in
enough light the leaves (and stems) can take on a purple hue.
Roots: Thickened and fleshy .
Flower: Hot pink cyathias.
Blooming season: Late in the summer or in autumn, just before or as it
goes dormant.
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The stems takes a nice red colouring when exposed to direct sun. (A pant
in autumn after the shedding of the leaves) |
The roots are tuberose. |
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Family: Euphorbiaceae |
Scientific name:
Monadenium
ritchiei ssp. nyambense S. Carter,
Published in: Kew Bull., 42 (4): 915: 1987
Origin: Eastern Africa, Kenya (Meru Distr.)
Habitat: Rocky slopes, at about 1300 m
altitude, growing in a well drained soil with some water in summer and
none in winter.
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
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Synonyms:
- Monadenium ritchiei
Bally,
Published in: Candollea, 17. 32, 1959
- Euphorbia ritchiei
(P.R.O.Bally) Bruyns 2006
- Euphorbia ritchiei ssp.
nyambensis (S.Carter) Bruyns 2006
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Cultivation: Easy to grow, it spreads by underground shoots and
forms large clumps with time and therefore requires a broader pot.
Monadenium ritchiei due to its African origin cannot tolerate
freezing temperature but should be able to handle 7 degrees C very
easily. However, that species seems to hate being wet for any extended
period and rot easily especially in winter if overwatered. Sun Exposure:
Light shade
Propagation: Cuttings, seeds. |
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