CYPHOSTEMMA RUTILANS

This member of the Vitaceae family was given this name by Bernard Marie Descoings in 1997. It is found in central Madagascar, growing in cracks on steep limestone walls with some water and some sun. The caudex can grow to five centimetres in diameter, one to three metres long, the entire plant to 40 centimetres in height. The flowers are bright red.

The genera name from the Greek kyphos; 'tumor' or,'hump' and stemma; 'garland' or 'crown'. The species name means 'auburn, gold-red with metallic lustre''.