CIBIRHIZA ALBERSIANA

This member of the Asclepiadaceae* family was described by Henning Kunze, Ulrich Meve and Sigrid Liede in 1994. It grows in a well drained soil with some water and lots of sun. The irregular caudex can grow to 50 centimetres or more, the wines for three to five meters. The small flowers are green with a white centre and brown spots.

The genera name from Latin; cibus; 'nourishment' or 'food' and Greek; rhiza; 'root' as the roots can be eaten.

The species name honours Prof. Victor A. Albert, an American botanist. *) Accordantly to the latest taxonomic system; APG IV 2016 is Asclepiadaceae now part of the Apocynaceae. Large plant in Namibia, but is it Cibirhiza albersiana? Photo by Alain Mouchel.