''Xerosicyos'' is a flowering plant genus of the family 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