Piaranthus

Family Lastovnevye. Habitat: widely distributed in the Cape Province, South Africa, and Namibia. They grow on sandy soils in the shade of shrubs.

Creeping small plants, composed of numerous ovate jointed stem segments. Stems 4-5-angled, from 2.5 to 5 cm in height and 1.25 cm in diameter, smooth, green or greenish-brown, bearing 4-5 sharp tubercles on each face. Flowers appear in late summer and autumn, several on stalks reaching 1.25-2.5 cm in length. They are five-lobed, star-shaped, about 2.5 cm in diameter. The upper surface of the corolla lobes is usually slightly pubescent (velvety).

Flowers can be cream, pale or bright yellow, with numerous purple or brown dots and streaks.

Propagated by seeds and cuttings. Soil mix of leaf, turf soil and sand (1:1:2). During the growing period water moderately. Winter temperature not below 15°C with occasional watering.