Top Ten Caudiciforms of 2009
If you don’t know what a caudex is, check out the pictures and you can probably figure it out for yourself. Or click through here. It’s hard to put these in any semblance of an order since they’re all so fantastic.
10. Jatropha berlandieri – the classic round caudex that goes fully dormant in the winter.
9. Ipomoea platensis is one of our succulent morning glories.
8. Bombax ellipticum is a subtree from Mexico, also known as Pseudobombax.
7. Ibervillea lindhemerii is pretty much our least popular caudex, and it’s in the cucumber family, so go figure.
6. Sinningia tubiflora is one of the easiest caudiciforms to grow.
5. Dioscorea macrostachya – babies!
4. Ornithogalum caudatum is the Pregnant Onion.
3. Urginea maritima – generally a solitary bulb that blooms when it is 15 to 20 years old. If it were in bloom this year, it would be number 1. But it will have to wait for another year.
2. Nananthus transvaalensis X Aloinopsis orpenii is a caudiciform mesemb with rose flowers
And the number one caudex for all of 2009…
1. Avonia quinaria ssp. alstonii
This tiny caudex only gets about an inch across, but those crazy branchlets each get a beautiful white or pink flower on the end.
