Ceropegia dichotoma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ceropegia dichotoma |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Ceropegia
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| Species: |
dichotoma
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Ceropegia dichotoma, also known as the Spanish: cardoncillo, is a unique flowering plant. It belongs to the Ceropegia family, which is part of the larger Apocynaceae group. This plant is special because it only grows naturally in the Canary Islands. It was first discovered and described in 1812.
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About the Cardoncillo Plant
The cardoncillo plant can grow quite tall, reaching up to 1.2 meters (about 4 feet) in height. It thrives in sunny places with a dry climate. This plant also needs soil that drains water well, like sandy or rocky ground.
Where Does It Grow?
The cardoncillo is an endemic plant, meaning it is found only in a specific area. For the cardoncillo, that area is the Canary Islands. You can find it on several islands, including Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera, and La Palma. It usually grows in a special plant zone called the Tabaibal-Cardonal, up to about 600 meters (nearly 2,000 feet) above sea level.
What Does It Look Like?
The flowers of the cardoncillo plant are quite interesting. They grow in groups of two to seven at the end of the plant's stems. Each flower is about 3 centimeters (just over an inch) long and shaped like a tube. They are usually pale yellow. The flowers have five narrow parts, called lobes, that join together at the very tip. You can see these unique flowers blooming in autumn and winter.
After the flowers, the plant produces fruit. The fruit looks like a pair of large, horn-shaped capsules. These capsules can grow up to 12 centimeters (about 5 inches) long.
How Is It Used?
Because of its unique look and ability to grow in dry conditions, the cardoncillo plant is often used as an ornamental plant. This means people grow it in their gardens just for its beauty. It's especially popular in gardens that are designed to be dry or arid. To grow well, the cardoncillo needs warm weather.
See also
- In Spanish: Cardoncillo para niños
