Uncarina peltata SEEDS

Description

Uncarina peltata seeds grow into a deciduous pachycaul shrub or small tree endemic to the desert and dry shrubland biome of Madagascar a member of the remarkable Malagasy Uncarina flora in the sesame family, Pedaliaceae. Like all Uncarina, it develops a massively swollen, water-storing trunk from which seasonal branches emerge bearing leaves and the large, showy yellow flowers typical of the genus. The epithet peltata means ‘shield-shaped’, referring to the peltate (centrally attached) leaf a leaf whose stalk attaches to the centre of the blade rather than the margin. The fruits are armed with the extraordinary grapnel-like curved hooks characteristic of the genus, designed to catch on the fur of passing animals for dispersal. Fully deciduous in the dry season, exposing the dramatic pachycaul trunk.

Full sun, very sharp drainage and a warm, dry rest when leafless replicate the conditions of its Malagasy desert biome.

• Shield-shaped peltate leaves the unique character behind the epithet ‘peltata’
• Massively swollen pachycaul trunk; large yellow flowers; grapnel-hooked fruits
• Madagascar desert and dry shrubland biome; endemic
• Family Pedaliaceae (sesame family); deciduous in dry season
• Full sun; very sharp drainage; warm dry rest

Uncarina peltata is a botanically distinctive member of this extraordinary Malagasy genus the shield-shaped peltate leaves and swollen pachycaul trunk make it immediately recognisable among the Uncarina, and a rewarding collector’s specimen from the legendary dry flora of Madagascar.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.