![]() The flies pollinate the first mature female flower organs with the pollen packets they bring with them. These get lost in the corolla tube, where they are trapped by the small hairs. It exudes an odor that attracts small flies. The string of hearts pursues a special purpose with this flower shape. ![]() The flower anatomy is reminiscent of small lampshades. ![]() They fuse together like umbrellas at their tips. Its light green to purple corolla lobes curve inward. It is often whitish dotted or reticulated at the upper end. While the corolla cup is colored greenish-white to whitish-purple with dark purple veining, the corolla tube appears light purple or purple striped. The corolla tube has a diameter of two millimeters. The corolla cup is spherical to oval in shape and about four millimeters wide. Their petals fuse together and form a corolla cup, which merges into the corolla tube with a visible constriction. These are hermaphroditic and have an axis of symmetry.Įach flower reaches a length between 0.8 and 1 inch (2 and 2.5 cm). The string of hearts owes its name to the conspicuously shaped flowers. The small leaves sit opposite on the shoot and have a high ornamental value due to their silvery-white grain. The underside of the leaf appears light green and often has a red tinge. The blade ends in an acuminated point and is dark green on the upper side. The leaves may be more or less round in shape. These succulent leaves divide into a lanceolate to cordate leaf blade and a petiole three to ten millimeters long. LeavesĬeropegia woodii has fleshy thickened deciduous leaves that serve as water reservoirs. Other subspecies of Ceropegia linearis also occur in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi as far north as Kenya. The natural range of the subspecies cultivated as ornamental plants is limited to the subtropical regions of South Africa. The string of hearts belongs to the dogbane family ( Apocynaceae). It is a popular ornamental plant that you will often find under the name Ceropegia woodii. woodii are referred to as string of hearts. Originīoth the plant genus Ceropegia and the species Ceropegia linearis subsp. With regard to the choice of location and substrate, you need to consider a few factors so that candlestick flowers feel comfortable. It has developed flower shapes that are incomparable in complexity with any other flower.ĭue to their particular specialization in environmental conditions, the plants require little care. Ceropegia Woodii is called the “Bushman’s Pipe” in its native southern Africa.The string of hearts ( Ceropegia woodii) is also known as chain of hearts, collar of hearts, rosary vine, and sweetheart vine.The word, “Ceropegia” originates from the Greek “keros” for wax and “pege”, which means stream or fountains.But take care not to add fertiliser at this point as it could also cause the plant to rot. It must dry out completely in between watering, as it will rot if over-watered. ![]() This plant thrives in a well-drained sandy soil. The plant is a species of the genus, Ceropegia that produces over 200 species of vining or shrub plants in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa. It may continue to bloom into mid-winter if it is kept in sufficiently warm conditions. ![]() It produces an abundance of flowers just after the rainy season.Ĭeropegia Woodii blooms strongly in late summer and autumn. The plant is also found in parts of Madagascar. Its natural habitat may stretch as far north as Tanzania on mainland Africa and as far west in the Atlantic Ocean as the Canary Islands. Once in contact with the soil, these tubercles will spring roots and propagate the plant.Ĭeropegia Woodii is found on stony hillsides in southern Africa, mostly in the eastern and western cape. Tubercles that resemble jelly beans or beads develop on the vines, hence the popular name of “rosary”. The flowers can be purple or purplish-white and shaped like tubes. They have leaves that are shaped like hearts or arrowheads with a silvery sheen on their upper sides. The plant grows stems that are very long and wiry. Its flowers can capture insects but these are not carnivorous plants. Ceropegia Woodii is a popular houseplant worldwide and known internationally as “chain of hearts”, “string of hearts”, or “rosary vine” because its trailing branches resemble a string of beads. ![]()
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