BRACHYSTELMA BRUCEAE

This member of the Apocynaceae family was given this name by Robert Allen Dyer in 1977. It is found in eastern South Africa, growing in a well drained soil with some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow to four centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to twelve centimetres in height. The flowers are purple to chocolate brownish.

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 name for Miss Eileen A. Bruce, 1905-1955, a British botanist. *)Accordantly to the latest taxonomic system; APG IV 2016, Asclepiadaceae is now part of the Apocynaceae.