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Caudiciforms have a thick stem called a caudex. They are my favorite "succulent family". Caudiciforms generally need less water then other succulents because of their thick caudex. Even dormant plants need water to keep their roots healthy so during their dormant period it is important not to let them dry out completely. Plants with large bulbs partially hidden under the soil or with a swollen caudiciform-base store water and nutrients in these receptacles. Leaves and vines make chlorophyll, and water and food are sent down to be stored in thickened stems and bases. As this happens, the bulb or base grows and enlarges. Plants can take regular watering at this time. When the season changes and weather cools, these plants usually go deciduous (meaning they lose their leaves). In the case of Cissus tuberosa, the "Climbing Oak," or Bowiea, the "Climbing Onion," and several other vining bulbs, the entire vine dies back and the plant is left with the attractive, characteristic bulb or base only. When leafless like this, the plant is only resting. As long as it is still hard and firm to the touch, it is fine. During this "snooze" time, the dormant plant needs very little water. It is subsisting mostly on its stored water and nutrients. When weather and light factors warrant it, the vine and/or foliage sprouts anew and grows out into an even bigger and better specimen of glossy-leafed beauty. This is the time to gradually resume regular watering and feeding. How absolutely fantastic it is to watch these unique plants go through their cyclic changes and offer you a chance to witness the changing pattern of things, as life and growth unfolds anew!

Adenias are caudiciforms and have a big woody stem which is called caudex. They come from Africa and Madagascar so they like to be kept over 40 degrees fahrenheit. Their sap is poisonous, and they should be handled with caution, particularly when pruning. click photo for more information. Click on the photo for more information. Adenias lose their leaves in winter and begin growing again in spring.

Adeniums come from eastern Africa and southern Arabia. Adenium like full sun in summer with fertilizer and regular watering. In winter they should be kept above 45°F (7°C) at night with higher day temperature. Adenium obesum forms a thick, bottle-shaped caudex to a foot or more in diameter with multiple branches. Adenium obesum, is sometimes called "Desert Rose" for the profuse flowers that are 2-3" in diameter and occur in bright crimsons, reds or pinks with white centers. Please click photo for more information.

Adenium swazicums are similar to adenium obesums in behavior. Be careful not to give so much water as to rot the roots but water generously and allow to dry out. Fertilize during growing season. If they become leggy, cut the stem at a pleasing height forcing it to branch out. Frost sensitive.

Beaucarnea recurvata is slow-growing. It is native to Mexico; it has a swollen base capable of growing to 6’ wide with clusters of long, slender leaves produced on branch tips. The way the leaves fall make one thing of a pony tail swaying. Thus the ponytail palm which is not really a palm.

Overgrazing, human development, and competition from invasive weeds have reduced this species to only twenty individuals in four naturally occurring populations. The extinction of its pollinator, a sphingid moth, has made it all but impossible for Brighamia insignis to reproduce. Plant conservationists go to great lengths -rappelling over steep cliff edges - to exchange pollen among plants and to collect seeds that can be grown and stored in botanical gardens and seed banks. Photo is a mature plant with double branches and lots of yellow flowers. Plants for sale are generally branched not as thick but at least 12" tall.

Cephalopentandra are caudiciforms that form a large caudex. They are somewhat rare at this time. Cephalopentandra ecirrhosa need to be kept warm in winter. When they begin to produce leaves in spring/summer give them plenty of water. They have a white flower about 1 ½ “ in diameter.

Propagate by seeds. The Calibanus hookeri has a caudex that can reach over 3 feet in diameter. The long, bluish leaves grow on the caudex. The genus is named for Shakespeare's monster, Caliban. It contains only this species but is closely related to the genus Nolina. As many names with an 'ri' termination, the species epithet is also spelled 'hookerii'.

Cissus tuberosa is a native of Mexico and a member of Vitaceae. Their leaves are palmate green with tendrils coming from the thickened caudex-like stem. This plant is a "vining" plant; in other words, quickly produces climbing stems with tendrils to twine around anything availble to create support for the plant. In this way, the plant can quickly search for as much light as possible to facilitate photosynthesis. This strategy is especially necessary where plants compete for sunlight from beneath a jungle canopy. Cissus tuberosa is a summer grower, thus losing their leaves in winter. Click photo for more plant info.

They are found in the Clanwilliam District of the Western Cape and the Graaf-Reinet, Willowmore and Uniondale Districts of the Eastern Cape. The caudex can grow to 9 feet. Dioscorea elephantipes can live for 70 years in cultivation. Lightly water in summer months because Dioscorea elephantipes need to rest being winter growers. Dioscorea elephantipes is summer deciduous and is a perennial geophytic climber. In summer the leafless plant conserves energy by dropping its leaves in October, just before the onset of the summer heat. The plants are monoecious, that means the flowering sexes are found on separate plants. The stems grow in a climbing fashion. The leaves are heart-shaped. Male flowers are erect with spiny racemes. Female flowers are in spinescent, spreading spikes. Flowers are pale greenish yellow and normally appear in May or June. Seed is produced in September and October.

Dorstenia are members of the Moraceae family.

Euphorbia bupleurifolia, native to South Africa, is a caudiciform Euphorbia that develops a fat caudex topped with a tuft of long leaves. Stem has spirally arranged tubercles that are reminiscent of a pineapple with long slender leaves at the growing tip. Offsets freely to form large clusters. Responds well to warmth, with its active growth period in the late spring and summer months. Porous soil with adequate drainage. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch during the active growing season. Protect from frost. Click photo for more information.

Fockea edulis, native to South Africa, is a member of Asclepiadaceae, which includes Stapelia, Hoya, Ceropegia and many other genera. This is a caudiciform which will form a turnip-shaped caudex with gnarly, thickened roots wrapped around the base of the caudex. With many years, this caudex can grow to 30" in diameter. Crinkly leaves to 1" in length produced along vining canopy. This is a vining plant which loves to travel many feet if allowed the chance; will climb shrubs and even small trees. Click photo for more informaiton.

As you can see the underside of the leaves are purple when exposed to the sun. This plant is extraordinary with it's leaves and caudex which gets larger and more exciting as it grows.

Ficus petiolaris has green leaves with RED striping

Idria columnaris, native to Arizona, Mexico and Baja California, is commonly known as the "Boojum" tree. In habitat, this bizarre xerophyte grows to 40' or more in height. Often forms forests, and grows alongside Yuccas, Pachycereus pringlei ("Cardon") and Ocotillo. As this plant grows skyward, it forms a single, tapering trunk with short pencil-like, spiny branches with deciduous leaves. As the plant grows older, sometimes the single trunks split near the top and form undulating, whiplike bizarre forms, especially in silhouette. Click photo for more information.

The genus Trichodiadema is part of Aizoaceae family synonymous with Mesembryanthemaceae, which also includes the various forms of plants known as Ice Plants and those known as Mimicry Plants. Trichodiadema bulbosum, native to South Africa, forms very succulent shrublets with deep emerald leaves that have a "crystalline" texture and tufty bristles at the the tips. The stems branch heavily to produce a small shrub with roots that thicken in time to form caudex-like tubers. click photo for more information.

Uncarina Roesliana are from Madagascar, they grow and flower well in full sun, water abundantly but allow to dry out between watering. Uncarina Roesliana flower during warmer months, yet this year they were growing and flowering into late December. Uncarina have a very interesting seed pod. DON'T TOUCH the SEED PODS. The seed pods will stick to your fingers. Just take my word for it. The plants I put in the ground in San Diego three years ago are probably 3 feet in diameter with a caudex of about 9".