Stats

Lifespan: Perennial
Size: Small
Diet: Photosynthetic
Biome: Dry scrubland
Range: East Africa
Movement: Sessile
Breeding: Seeds
Defense: Spines
Status: Rare

About

Huernia schneideriana is a perennial succulent in the dogbane and oleander family, commonly known as the red dragon flower or medusa hair plant. This native Tanzanian plant has long, cascading leaves and shallow crimson flowers; it is a popular houseplant because of its beautiful appearance.

Life cycle

1.
seed
A dormant seed waits for water and warmth before germinating.
2.
sprout
A first shoot emerges with cotyledon leaves and a tap root reaching down.
3.
sapling
A young plant grows true leaves and a stem or trunk, putting on height each season.
4.
mature
Fully grown, flowering or fruiting at adult size.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Huernia
Species: Huernia schneideriana