Xerosicyos
Xerosicyos | |
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Silver dollar plant (Xerosicyos danguyi) | |
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Genus: | Xerosicyos |
Species | |
Xerosicyos danguyi - silver dollar plant |
Xerosicyos is a flowering plant genus of the family Cucurbitaceae. Its name comes from Greek xeros (meaning "dry") and sicyos ("cucumber"). There are three species, all endemic to Madagascar. Xerosicyos danguyi is a large liana with thick stems and round, gray succlent leaves. It is common in cultivation and often called the "Silver Dollar" vine. Xerosicyos perrieri is also a liana with thinner stems and smaller, ovate green succulent leaves. Xerosicyos pubescens is entirely different from the previous species. It forms a large caudex from which deciduous vines emerge. The leaves are lobed and semi-succulent and die back in the dry season and during prolonged periods of drought.