CEROPEGIA is a genus of plants also known as Milkweeds and belonging to the Apocanaceae or Dogbane Family. They are native to Africa, Southern Asia and Australia.

The name CEROPEGIA is derived from the Greek word ‘keropegion’ or ‘Candelabrum’ in Latin’.

This refers to the interesting and peculiar shape of its flowers. As a result of these flowers they have many names including lantern flower, parasol flower, parachute flower, bushman's pipe, string of hearts and rosary vine.

CEROPEGIA woodii is an evergreen succulent trailing vine, native to South Africa, and discovered in Natal. They are much loved and collected for their small vining heart shaped leaves which emerge in pairs at nodes. As the plant grows, the roots expand to form tubers beneath the soil and the nodes swell to form small round ball shaped tubers, along the length of the vine.

The flowers form in an umbrella-like canopy and cage in mixture of off-white and pale magenta with five petals in a deep purple. The flowers are uniquely shaped for pollination by flies which become temporarily trapped in the cage and in so doing pollinate the flower.

These quirky colourful CEROPEGIA vines are a firm favourite at the Jungle Nursery. With needles to heart shaped leaves ….. its hard not to collect them all!