''Xerosicyos'' is a

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Cucurbitaceae. Its name comes from Greek ''xeros'' (meaning "dry") and ''sicyos'' ("cucumber"). There are three species, all endemic to Madagascar. ''Xerosicyos danguyi'' is a large

liana A liana is a long- stemmed, woody vine that is rooted in the soil at ground level and uses trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy in search of direct sunlight. The word ''liana'' does not refer to a ta ...

with thick stems and round, gray succulent leaves. It is common in cultivation and often called the "silver dollar" vine. ''Xerosicyos perrieri'' is also a liana with thinner stems and smaller, ovate green succulent leaves. ''Xerosicyos pubescens'' is entirely different from the previous species. It forms a large caudex from which deciduous vines emerge. The leaves are lobed and semi-succulent and die back in the dry season and during prolonged periods of drought.

References

Cucurbitaceae genera Cucurbitaceae Taxa named by Jean-Henri Humbert {{Cucurbitales-stub