Botanical name |
Sarcostemma viminale |
Other names |
Melktou (Afrikaans) |
Family |
Asclepiadaceae |
Dimensions |
A vigorous succulent creeper growing in trees and shrubs up to several meters, sometimes stifling them; a shrub itself, if no support from another plant available |
Description of stem |
Leafless plant consisting of smooth, cyllindric green stems; lower base stems has a corky bark; exudes a milky latex when damaged |
Description of leaves |
No leaves |
Description of flowers |
Five yellow sepals curving upwards around less conspicuous white flower parts; summer to autumn |
Description of seed/fruit |
Follicles like a pair of horns, brown when ripe,opening to release soft hairy seeds |
Description of roots |
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Variation |
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Propagation and cultivation |
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Tolerances |
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Uses |
A gardening possibility where space is available |
Ecological rarity |
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Pests and diseases |
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Other |
May poison livestock in times of scarce grazing |
Location |
Grassland and bushveld, the hot and drier parts of the country |
Distribution |
Common in most of the inland parts of South Africa |
Country |
South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Southern Africa up to Kenya |