
*Monadenium*

*     Monadenium is a genus of 50 or so stem succulents native to a wide
range of Africa. They are closely related to Euphorbias, some of which
they resemble. The largest difference being the flower structure.
Monadeniums range from small plants just a few inches high to large
branching tree like forms. Most have succulent stems with decidous
semi-succulent leaves arising from a large tuberous root. Some have
stems that are noticeably tuberculed and can have spines of a sort
surrounding the scar where a leaf used to be. The leaves appear at the
tubercule tips and flower bracts from between tubercules. Other
varieties lack the noticeable tubercule and instead have branching
pencil thick stems that can be interestingly textured and colored.
     Monadeniums are easy to grow in any well draining mix. They
appreciate being watered and fed in spring and summer and can be fast
growers. They also appreciate good light but can be grown in light
shade. Often the leaves and stems take on a reddish color in bright
light. As with other similar plants the watering should be less in
winter as some can be rot prone. I couldn't find any information as to
when they normally flower. The few species I have seem to flower in
winter and early spring before the plants leaf out again. So far I've
had good luck with rooting cuttings of M. ritchie and M. gilletii but
suspect my Monadenium "Tanzania" can only be grown from seed. It's shown
no signs of offsets or branching.
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