- Ceropegia africana ssp barklyi
It may lack the more obvious attractions of Ceropegia Woodii but this lovely and very well-behaved Ceropegia deserves more recognition. I bought mine as Ceropegia Barkleyi but the longer name is apparently correct and, helpfully, indicates where the plant comes from. However, there seem to be a variety of plants which the name applies to. I was attracted to those plants with silver markings on the leaves whereas mine are an all-over mid-green colour, albeit an attractive shape and highly succulent. In addition, other pictured plants have a spiral-like arrangement at the end of the flower. One explanation is that there are one or more naturally occurring clones of this plant. The less attractive explanation is that mine is an imposter. Naming is an issue with many of the plants I am growing, the same plant often goes under several different names or different plants are sold under the same name. Maybe its a lesson that one shouldn’t get too hooked on the names, or trying to collect every plant within a species, and instead enjoy the plants for what they are.
- Ceropegia africana ssp barklyi
I was a bit disappointed when barklyi (for short) arrived, mainly because of the lack of markings on the leaves, but over the last few months I have succumbed to the eagerness with which this unassuming little plant sends out new shoots, especially at a time when everything else seems to be in hibernation, and its willingness to flower late into the winter. It seems to adapt well to ordinary household conditions and makes very few demands. The hanging vines have a pretty grace to them, especially when in flower. As with most Ceropegia, it is the unusual flowers which are the main attraction. These are elongated and a greenish colour which, whilst not in itself overly attractive, contrasts very prettily with the lovely purplish interior markings.
I keep my plant on the dry side. If it gets to dry, it does start to look a little limp and flaccid but quickly perks up again once watered. It is still in the soil it came in which is a very gritty, well-draining mix. And I grow it in a south-facing window, opposite my Ceropegia woodii. Stem cuttings root easily in a bit of cactus compost and/or sand.
stringofhearts 