BRACHYSTELMA MARITAE

This member of the Asclepiadaceae* family was described by Ralph Peckover in 1996. It is found in the Ruvuma Province of Tanzania, growing in a well drained soil with some water and some sun. The caudex can grow to ten centimetres in diameter, the stem up to 30 centimetres height. The flowers are crème coloured with a dark brown centre.

The genera name from Greek; brachys meaning 'short', and stelma means 'crown, garland, wreath'; alluding to the short staminal corona of some species. Found by Ernst Specks and named after his wife; frau Marita Specks.