Raphionacme procumbens seeds grow into a tuberous geophyte native to the seasonally dry tropical biome from Zimbabwe south to KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The epithet procumbens means 'lying down' or 'prostrate', reflecting the low, spreading growth habit of the seasonal stems which trail or sprawl across the ground rather than twining upwards. Like all Raphionacme, it develops a substantial underground tuberous caudex for water and nutrient storage through the dry season, producing seasonal stems with small leaves and the typical milkweed-subfamily flowers. Family Apocynaceae.Sharp drainage, warm to moderate conditions and a dry rest when dormant replicate the seasonally dry conditions of its Zimbabwe-KwaZulu-Natal range. Prostrate, trailing stems — the 'procumbens' (lying down) habit unique in the genus Underground tuberous caudex; seasonally dry tropical biome Zimbabwe to KwaZulu-Natal — south-eastern African distribution Family Apocynaceae; tuberous geophyte Sharp drainage; warm to moderate conditions; dry dormancy rest Raphionacme procumbens is a botanically distinctive member of the genus — its prostrate, ground-hugging habit sets it apart from the twining species, and its range from Zimbabwe to KwaZulu-Natal gives it a southern African character distinct from the more tropical members of this rewarding caudiciform genus. IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.
