BRACHYSTELMA GRACILE

This member of the Asclepiadaceae* family was given this name by Eileen Adelaide Bruce in 1949. It is found from South Africa up through Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, growing in a well drained soil with little to some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow up to twelve centimetres in diameter, the slender stem up to 50 or even 75 centimetres height. The flowers are green and reddish brown.

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 means; having a light, thin body. Well, skinny might be the right term. *)Accordantly to the latest taxonomic system; APG IV 2016, Asclepiadaceae is now part of the Apocynaceae.