''Curio radicans'', syn. ''Senecio radicans'', is a succulent

houseplant A houseplant, sometimes known as a pot plant, potted plant, or an indoor plant, is an ornamental plant that is grown indoors. As such, they are found in places like residences and offices, mainly for decorative purposes. Common houseplants are us ...

that is native to

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. A member of the family

Asteraceae The family Asteraceae, alternatively Compositae, consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, Compositae w ...

, the asters, this species is closely related to the common string of pearls and ''

Curio hallianus ''Curio hallianus'', syn. ''Senecio hallianus'', is a creeping succulent plant in the daisy family Asteraceae that is native to South Africa. It is also known as chain of blue beans or string of beans. Description This perennial is a fleshy, ma ...

''. It has multiple tendrils of glossy, banana-shaped foliage. It is commonly known as string of bananas or fishhook senecio. Like most members of the ''Curio'' genus, ''C. radicans'' is relatively hardy and easy to grow, making it a great starting point for novice gardeners and those seeking entry to the succulent or container gardening hobbies.Mace. "Cactus and Succulents: A Care Manual", Mace, Tony and Suzanne, 2001, Laurel Glen Publishing An interesting addition to any home or garden, ''C. radicans'' is especially good for pots, hanging baskets, succulent gardens, and other areas in need of textural interest.Baldwin. "Succulent Container Gardens", Baldwin, Debra Lee, 2010, Timber Press, Inc.

Distribution

''Curio radicans'' is native to the

Cape Province The Province of the Cape of Good Hope ( af, Provinsie Kaap die Goeie Hoop), commonly referred to as the Cape Province ( af, Kaapprovinsie) and colloquially as The Cape ( af, Die Kaap), was a province in the Union of South Africa and subsequen ...

region of

.Sajeva and Costanzo. "Succulents, The Illustrated Dictionary", Sajeva, M. and Costanzo, M., 2000, Timber Press, Inc.University of Connecticut Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Plant Growth Facilities
/ref> In fact, in the desert areas of South Africa where aridity increases, including the Karroid central region, the dominant vegetation consists of xerophytic dwarf shrubs and succulents, including many members of the tribe

Senecioneae Senecioneae is the largest tribe of the Asteraceae, or the sunflower family, comprising over 150 genera and over 3,500 species. Almost one-third of the species in this tribe are placed in the genus ''Senecio''. Its members exhibit probably the w ...

. In these areas of very low moisture, the grasslands typical of other areas of Africa give way to areas in which grass is subdominant to these drought-tolerant plants, which are frequently spaced far apart with wide expanses of sandy or rocky stretches in between.Bews. "Plant Forms & Their Evolution In South Africa", Bews, John William, 1925, Longmans, Green and Co.

Habitat and ecology

As a native to the

area of

, ''Curio radicans'' is a succulent that can grow in warm, tropical areas and also fares well in arid regions. Its succulent tissues help to conserve moisture, rendering it well-adapted for the dry, hot conditions characteristic of many parts of its native South Africa. Like most succulents, this species is frost-tender and cannot withstand freezing temperatures (below 32 degrees F), restricting it to areas where the annual temperatures do not drop below this point.

Morphology

Individuals of this species have a prostrate growth habit with mat-forming stems 15–30 cm long. Its growth in long, matted tendrils makes the "string of bananas" an excellent groundcover, as well as ideal for cascading over the edges of containers or hanging baskets.

Foliage

Grown for the shape, texture, and color of its attractive foliage rather than for its blooms, ''Curio radicans'' can provide a textural element to a garden. This plant features fleshy, glossy, and elongated succulent leaves that curve and taper to a pointed tip, much like the shape of a banana. Each leaf is cylindrical in shape, 2–3 cm long, and features 2 translucent lines on either side. With an alternate arrangement of leaves and a delicate branching pattern of the strands, this plant's foliage is truly its most captivating feature.

Flowers and fruit

''Curio radicans'' produces small, cinnamon-scented, white or off-white flowers, usually in the late winter or early spring seasons, although some growers are able to encourage multiple flowering periods throughout the year. Like other species in the genus ''Curio'', the inflorescences consist of clusters of many small flowers on a common receptacle. This species is grown more for the color, shape, or texture of their foliage than for their blooms, which are small, white, and not very showy.

Availability

Available at many garden centers, specialty stores, and other places where plants are sold. Greenhouses specializing in unusual or specialty items are more likely to have this succulent house plant, but they are also sold through the internet.

References

External links

Kew Plant List

IPNI Listing
{{Taxonbar, from=Q7450422 radicans Flora of South Africa Garden plants Garden plants of Southern Africa Drought-tolerant plants