BRACHYSTELMA BRACTEOLATUM

This member of the Asclepiadaceae* family was given this name by Ulrich Meve in 1997. It was first discovered by Ernst Specks in October 1994 at Jos Plateau, south-east Jos, seven kilometres from Bokkos in Nigeria. It grow in a well drained soil with little to some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow to 12 centimetres, the entire plant to 20 centimetres in height. The flowers are crème coloured and dark brown, and smell like cow-dung.

The genera name from Greek; brachys meaning 'short', and stelma means 'crown, garland, wreath'; alluding to the short staminal corona of some species. The species is named means 'short shell'.