Stats

Lifespan

Perennial

Size

Small

Diet

Photosynthetic

Biome

Arid shrubland

Range

South Africa

Movement

Sessile

Breeding

Seeds

Defense

Toxins

Status

Uncommon

About

Bluestraws are succulent plants that grow in the rocky terrain of South Africa. Their cylindrical leaves contain a waxy powder that reflects ultraviolet light to prevent sunburn.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   seed

   A dormant seed waits for water and warmth before germinating.
2. 2.
   sprout

   A first shoot emerges with cotyledon leaves and a tap root reaching down.
3. 3.
   sapling

   A young plant grows true leaves and a stem or trunk, putting on height each season.
4. 4.
   mature

   Fully grown, flowering or fruiting at adult size.

Learn more

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Plantae

Phylum

Tracheophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Order

Asterales

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Curio

Species

Curio talinoides