Calibanus hookeri
Welcome to our crazy caudiciforms.
To those that do not know what a caudiciform is, I will say that it is not really a true "biological" term. It is a descriptive term for those plants that have been forced to live in extremely unfavorable climates, deserts, etc. They have adopted various measures to survive long periods of drought. They hide beneath the sand and send out vegetation only after it has rained. Or they develop "trunks", caudices (or caudexes) which store whatever it takes to survive long periods of deprivation. They often take on bizarre shapes. They often have beautiful flowers. This group has many attractive plants, strange plants. We hope you will also see redeeming features in these often misshapen plants.I should mention that I have a number of similar plants that ar not truly caudiciforms. But I hope you will enjoy them too, as we do!
There will be an entry at the beginning listing the most recently added plants to help those that re-visit the page!
And finally, I know very little about these plants. If anyone has anything to add to my meager introductions, I would be pleased to put their comments on the page, with acknowledgement of course! .
The Plants
These pictures will be grouped in sub-pages of five per page to allow faster loading. There is an index where you can go to any group of five pictures. You can then go to the next five or back to the index.
We will have the pictures first in 2 x 2 inch thumbnails and then, if you wish and click on a picture, in a larger format, six inches wide. We want to keep the detail, so, please be patient.
If you would like to request a particular picture, we will try to put it on.
I have instituted a Lost Label link to help me identify plants. If you have an unknown plant, send me a picture and I'll put it on!!! Maybe,,,,,,,?