Dorstenia foetida is a small caudex forming plant from Ethiopia and Arabia. It has many short brown stems that grow from a low flat base. It is drought deciduous, meaning it will drop it's leaves when dry. The flowers concentrates are disk shaped bodies that contain many small flowers that fruit easily. As the flower structure dries out it pops seeds as far as six feet. The easiest way to propagate is to allow seedlings to come up in your other plant's pots. They can be easily pulled from the soil and planted in their own pots. Water frequently during the warm growing, but don't alllow the soil to get soggy. Similar species are F. crispa, F. hybrid, F. foetida x crispa, and F. lancifolia.

Dorstenia gigas is a rare caudex forming plant from the island of Socotra. It develops a stocky main trunk that may have several large vertical branches and many horizontal smaller branches. The whole body has a light green tint. The leaves are deep green when fresh, but turn orange on the bottom side as they end their life cycle. It is a very attractive plant, but will only thrive in a mild semi-humid climate. It can not handle the extremes of cold and heat. If in the right environment, it will remain active all year. Dorstenia gigas is rarely seen in the market place, but is sometimes offered by specialist growers at some cactus club sales.

Dorstenia gigas

Dorstenia gypsophila is an extremely rare caudiciform because it is difficult to grow. Each plant has a unique shape with a withered looking exterior. Because of its rarity, if you find it for sale, it will be very expensive.

Dorstenia gypsophila