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Tropicals, Woody > Uncarina > Uncarina grandidieri > Uncarina grandidieri

Uncarina grandidieri


Succulent Sesame, Mouse Trap Tree, Unicorn Tree




Origin:  Native to dry forests of Madagascar.
Family
Pedaliaceae
Genus
Uncarina
Species
grandidieri
Category
Tropicals, Woody
Type
Tree (deciduous), Shrub (deciduous)
Synonyms
Harpagophytum grandidieri, Uncaria grandidieri
Canadian Hardiness Zone
Requires cold season protection under glass.
Height
3-5 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
General Description
A multi-branched shrub or small tree that may ultimately attain a height of 3-5 meters.
Cultivation
Grow in part shade to full sun in rich, well-drained medium.
Habitat
Dry forests of Madagascar. It is dormant during the winter.
Bark/Stem Description
Solid and becomes thickened with age.
Leaf Description
Long-stalked, three- to five-lobed, more or less sticky-hairy with blades of variable outline, up to 12.5 cm long by 15 cm broad. Those on flowering shoots are smaller than the others.
Flower Description
In Clusters on young shoots, the flowers have a calyx of 5 sepals, and a 6 cm long corolla with a narrow tube and an oblique face of 5 wide-spreading, somewhat unequal, about 2.5 cm long, rounded, bright yellow lobes (petals). The throat of the flower is stained purplish-red. These are four fertile stamens, one rudimentary staminode (sterile stamen), and one style.
Fruit Description
Flat, pointed covered with small inwardly pointed spines mounted on 18 mm pedicels. Each spine has a tiny hook an the end; as the fruit dries, the remaining seed pod becomes a real hazard.
Notable Specimens
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
Propagation
Propagate by seed and they cuttings.
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