Curio radicans

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Curio radicans
String of Bananas.JPG
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Curio
Species:
C. radicans
Binomial name
Curio radicans
(L.F.) P.V.Heath (1999)
Synonyms

Senecio radicans(L.f.) Sch.Bip.

Curio radicans, [1] syn. Senecio radicans, is a succulent houseplant that is native to South Africa. A member of the family Asteraceae, the asters, this species is closely related to the common string of pearls and Curio hallianus . It has multiple tendrils of glossy, banana-shaped foliage. It is commonly known as string of bananas or fishhook senecio.

Contents

Like most members of the Curio genus, C. radicans is relatively hardy and easy to grow, making it a great starting point for novice gardeners and those seeking entry to the succulent or container gardening hobbies. [2] An interesting addition to any home or garden, C. radicans is especially good for pots, hanging baskets, succulent gardens, and other areas in need of textural interest. [3]

Distribution

Curio radicans is native to the Cape Province region of South Africa. [4] [5] In fact, in the desert areas of South Africa where aridity increases, including the Karroid central region, the dominant vegetation consists of xerophytic dwarf shrubs and succulents, including many members of the tribe Senecioneae. In these areas of very low moisture, the grasslands typical of other areas of Africa give way to areas in which grass is subdominant to these drought-tolerant plants, which are frequently spaced far apart with wide expanses of sandy or rocky stretches in between. [6]

Habitat and ecology

Curio radicans in Cape Town Senecio radicans in CapeTown rockery 1.jpg
Curio radicans in Cape Town

As a native to the Cape Province area of South Africa, [4] Curio radicans is a succulent that can grow in warm, tropical areas and also fares well in arid regions. Its succulent tissues help to conserve moisture, rendering it well-adapted for the dry, hot conditions characteristic of many parts of its native South Africa. [6] Like most succulents, this species is frost-tender and cannot withstand freezing temperatures (below 32 degrees F), restricting it to areas where the annual temperatures do not drop below this point. [3]

Morphology

String of bananas grows in long tendrils of attractive, banana-shaped leaves. String of Bananas2.JPG
String of bananas grows in long tendrils of attractive, banana-shaped leaves.

Individuals of this species have a prostrate growth habit with mat-forming stems 15–30 cm long. [4] Its growth in long, matted tendrils makes the "string of bananas" an excellent groundcover, as well as ideal for cascading over the edges of containers or hanging baskets. [3]

Foliage

Curio radicans makes an excellent houseplant for winter interest String of Bananas6.JPG
Curio radicans makes an excellent houseplant for winter interest

Grown for the shape, texture, and color of its attractive foliage rather than for its blooms[ citation needed ], Curio radicans can provide a textural element to a garden. This plant features fleshy, glossy, and elongated succulent leaves that curve and taper to a pointed tip, much like the shape of a banana. Each leaf is cylindrical in shape, 2–3 cm long, and features 2 translucent lines on either side. [4] With an alternate arrangement of leaves and a delicate branching pattern of the strands, this plant's foliage is truly its most captivating feature. [3]

Curio radicans spilling from a tall container. Sensio radicans spilling from a tall container.jpg
Curio radicans spilling from a tall container.

Flowers and fruit

Curio radicans produces small, cinnamon-scented, white or off-white flowers, usually in the late winter or early spring seasons, although some growers are able to encourage multiple flowering periods throughout the year. [3] Like other species in the genus Curio, the inflorescences consist of clusters of many small flowers on a common receptacle. [2] This species is grown more for the color, shape, or texture of their foliage than for their blooms, which are small, white, and not very showy. [3] [4]

Usage

Curio radicans is not purely ornamental as it is edible - it was a food of the Khoi-khoin of South Africa [7]

Availability

Available at many garden centers, specialty stores, and other places where plants are sold. Greenhouses specializing in unusual or specialty items are more likely to have this succulent house plant[ citation needed ], but they are also sold through the internet.

Related Research Articles

<i>Senecio</i> genus of flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae

Senecio is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that includes ragworts and groundsels. The scientific Latin genus name, Senecio, means "old man".

Houseplant

A houseplant is a plant that is grown indoors in places such as residences and offices, namely for decorative purposes, but studies have also shown them to have positive psychological effects. They also help with indoor air purification, since some species, and the soil-dwelling microbes associated with them, reduce indoor air pollution by absorbing volatile organic compounds including benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. While generally toxic to humans, such pollutants are absorbed by the plant and its soil-dwelling microbes without harm.

<i>Curio rowleyanus</i> species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae

Curio rowleyanus, syn. Senecio rowleyanus, is a flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. It is a creeping, perennial, succulent vine native to the drier parts of southwest Africa. In its natural environment its stems trail on the ground, rooting where they touch and forming dense mats. It often avoids direct sunlight by growing in the shade of other plants and rocks. It is commonly known as string-of-pearls or string-of-beads.

<i>Senecio angulatus</i> Species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae

Senecio angulatus, also known as creeping groundsel and sometimes as Cape ivy, is a succulent plant from the family Asteraceae of the genus Senecio that is native to South Africa. It is a scrambling and a twining herb that can become an aggressive weed once established, making it an invasive species in some countries. However, it is grown as an ornamental plant for its satiny foliage and sweet-scented flowers.

<i>Senecio tamoides</i> Species of vine

Senecio tamoides, also known as Canary creeper, is a climbing member of the genus Senecio of the family Asteraceae that is native to Southern Africa. It is used as an ornamental plant for its showy yellow, daisy-like flowers in autumn.

<i>Curio ficoides</i> Species of flowering plant

Curio ficoides, syn. Senecio ficoides, also known as skyscraper Senecio and Mount Everest Senecio, is a species of succulent plant, in the genus Curio (Asteraceae), indigenous to South Africa.

<i>Curio archeri</i> Species of flowering plant

Curio archeri, syn. Senecio toxotis is a species of succulent plant in daisy family that is indigenous to the south-western Cape, South Africa.

<i>Curio repens</i> Species of flowering plant

Curio repens, syn. Senecio serpens, is a species of the genus Curio in the Asteraceae family. A succulent endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa, it is typically found growing from crevices in rocky sandstone slopes. Commonly named blue chalksticks, it is used as an ornamental plant.

<i>Euphorbia mammillaris</i> Species of flowering plant

Euphorbia mammillaris is a plant species endemic to Cape Province of South Africa. It grows up to 18 cm in height, with succulent stems covered with gray spines.

<i>Hoodia currorii</i> Species of plant

Hoodia currorii is a succulent plant native to Namibia and the Cape Province of South Africa. It grows in desert areas and is common along the road from Karibib to Swakopmund in Namibia. It is also known as ghaap in the vernacular.

<i>Kalanchoe longiflora</i> Species of succulent

Kalanchoe longiflora, also known as tugela cliff-kalanchoe or long-flower kalanchoe, is a species of the succulent genus Kalanchoe, in the family Crassulaceae. An obscure shrub native to South Africa, it is known for its multi-coloured foliage and yellow flowers, which bloom in autumn to winter.

<i>Curio × peregrinus</i> Species of succulent

Curio × peregrinus, also known as dolphin necklace, flying dolphins, string of dolphins, dolphin plant or Senecio hippogriff, is a succulent nothospecies of Curio in the family Asteraceae. It is often called, incorrectly, Senecio peregrinus, but that name was previously given, by Grisebach in 1879, to a different species from South America. The name Curio × peregrinus was published in 1999, based on the earlier name Kleinia peregrina; however, this name was not validly published. The plant is a hybrid between Curio rowleyanus and Curio articulatus.

<i>Curio</i> (plant) genus of flowering plants in the daisy family Asteraceae

Curio is a genus of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Plants in the genus are evergreen succulents with long, striated leaves and discoid flower heads lacking ray florets.

<i>Curio articulatus</i> Species of flowering plant

Curio articulatus, syn. Senecio articulatus, which is also known as candle plant, pickle plant and hot dog cactus, is a deciduous succulent plant that is native to South Africa.

<i>Curio herreanus</i> Species of flowering plant

Curio herreanus, syn. Senecio herreanus, which is also known as string of watermelons, string of beads, gooseberry plant and string of raindrops, is a flowering succulent plant in the daisy family Asteraceae that is native to South Africa. It is grown as an ornamental plant and is very similar in appearance to 'string of pearls', where the names may be conflated.

<i>Curio talinoides</i> Species of flowering plant

Curio talinoides, syn. Senecio mandraliscae, also known as blue straws, blue chalksticks, dassieharpuis, or narrow-leaf chalk sticks, is a succulent plant of the sunflower family that is native to South Africa. The origin of this plant is dubious and it may be a hybrid.

<i>Curio citriformis</i> Species of flowering plant

Curio citriformis, syn. Senecio citriformisis, also known as string of tears, is a trailing succulent plant in the sunflower family native to South Africa that grows in rocky outcrops in clay soils.

<i>Curio hallianus</i> species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae

Curio hallianus, syn. Senecio hallianus, is a creeping succulent plant in the daisy family Asteraceae that is native to South Africa.

<i>Senecio candicans</i> Species of flowering plant

Senecio candicans, commonly known as angel wings and sea cabbage, is a succulent flowering plant in the Senecio genus that is native to India and is grown as an ornamental plant elsewhere.

<i>Senecio tropaeolifolius</i> Species of plant

Senecio tropaeolifolius, which is known as false nasturtium or nasturtium-leaf spearhead is a succulent plant in the daisy family that is native to South Africa.

References

  1. "Taxonomy Browser (Curio radicans)". NCBI Taxonomy Browser. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  2. 1 2 Mace. "Cactus and Succulents: A Care Manual", Mace, Tony and Suzanne, 2001, Laurel Glen Publishing
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Baldwin. "Succulent Container Gardens", Baldwin, Debra Lee, 2010, Timber Press, Inc.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Sajeva and Costanzo. "Succulents, The Illustrated Dictionary", Sajeva, M. and Costanzo, M., 2000, Timber Press, Inc.
  5. University of Connecticut Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Plant Growth Facilities
  6. 1 2 Bews. "Plant Forms & Their Evolution In South Africa", Bews, John William, 1925, Longmans, Green and Co.
  7. (Coetzee, R: A Feast from Nature. 2015. Cape Town: Penstock Publications. P101)