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Pseudolithos migiurtinus
Probably the most popular species of the genus in cultivation, it
needs
protection from cold and damp, but doesn’t like to get bone dry, even in
winter.
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Etymology:
The
genus
name
"Pseudolithos" derives from the Greek words
“pseudo” meaning “false” and “lithos”
meaning “stone, pebble” referring
to the appearance of the stems.
(The genus name implies: “false stone”).
The
species name
"migiurtinus" derives
from the
mountain
region of
"migiurtina"
in the North East of Somalia.
(The specific name implies “from the
region of Migiurtina”)
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In full sun plants take a
mimetic brown-reddish
pigmentation
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Morphology (Identifying
Characteristics):
Habit: Usually
single stemmed.
Quite variable in shape, colour and size.
Stem:
Up to six centimetres in diameter and eight centimetres in height
(an old plant in cultivation may achieve a bigger size) The stem is
oval and
tuberculate, but some plants have an evident four-sided
figure form. The colours vary from light green (in
shaded
environments) to clear olive/grey/green (in half sun) or
reddish-brown (in full sun).
Roots:
Fibrous.
Flower:
The
cluster
of flowers is
fly
pollinated and smells like rotten meat. The
flowers are dark red and about
5/7 mm across.
Fruit:
Seed
pods contain about 15-20 seeds each.
Phenology:
Blossoming
time: mainly during the end of
the
summer
on the bottom side of the plants, but it is not strange
to see some flowers almost year round in a heated greenhouse.
Propagation:
Seeds are the only way of
reproducing
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Cultivation:
Relatively easy to grow, but mistakes are costly.
If rot sets in,
there is practically no time, nor warning, before the plant turns to
expensive mush.
It needs regular
watering, especially during the hottest
summer days;
provide also
some light watering if the green house temperatures in
winter
are elevated. Either excessive
or
very scarce watering can
induce
rot.
Frost Tolerance: Winter temperatures must be kept
over 10° C. ( But
it
can withstand winter night-time
temperatures
down to
about
5° )
Sun Exposure: It
has
a great advantage if grown
in very strong light,
but sheltered from full sun.
Cultural Practices: Provide very good
ventilation.
It grows quite easily and fast on its own roots.
It
is not difficult as commonly supposed, but inaccuracies are
fatal. If
rot starts, the plant will almost inevitably
die.
This plant is a candidate for
under-potting, as long as you keep it watered.
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buds |
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 Notes: This plant has been successfully
crossed with diverse
Pseudolithos species and other
Asclepiadaceae too. These
hybridizations
give rise to some very interesting
cultivars.
Left:
Pseudolithos
hybrid DOD-MIG
(dodsonianus x
migiurtinus
)
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Family:
Asclepiadaceae (Apocynaceae) (Milkweed
family)
Scientific Name:
Pseudolithos
migiurtinus
(Chiovenda) P.R.O. Bally 1975.
Distribution:
From the North East of Somalia
Habitat: This plant has
been found in
grit in a dry
tropical
environment with lots of
sun.
These plants, like most of the succulent milkweeds (stapeliads), are
generally
fly pollinated, and conveniently smell like rotten meat or some type
of manure.
Synonyms: White-Sloanea
migiurtina, Chiovenda, 1937
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A plant with a couple of mature
pods. |
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A young
specimen (2,5 cm of diameter)
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The
apex |
A
pod just after
fecundation
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Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and
cultivars of Pseudolithos migiurtinus.
(This
Taxon
is quite variable in shape, colour and size,
and comprises several different forms, but each form
is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate
characteristics).
See:
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
