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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Cucurbitaceae (Cucumbers, Gourds, Watermelon) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Chartreuse |
| Bloomtime: Winter/Spring |
| Height: 10-12 feet |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Xerosicyos danguyi (Penny Plant) - Evergreen climbing and clambering succulent vine that can climb up on other plants, fences or structures 10-15 feet. It has slender cylindrical gray colored stems that branch from the base and are covered with alternately arranged nearly round 1 inch wide leaves that are pea green when they emerge and mature to gray-green and climbs using slender forked tendrils. Small chartreuse colored dioecious flowers (male and female on different plants) can appear in late winter to early spring - they are inconspicuous but an interesting contrast to the leaves when they appear. Plant in full sun to part shade in a fairly well draining soil where it can be grown with very little irrigation but accepts more and will grow more vigorously if watered at least occasionally. It is hardy to around 25°F, so useful down to USDA Zone 9b. This is an interesting, tough and tenacious plant that tolerates neglect and grows slowly at first but has a moderate growth rate once established particularly if given occasional irrigation. It can grow along the ground but looks best with some support to hold the branches with the heavy load of leaves held upright, but can also be grown in a pot or hanging basket or even as an indoor house plant. Penny Plant comes from near the town of Toliara in the Atsimo-Andrefana region of southwestern Madagascar, where it grows in subarid bushland forest and dunes. The name for the genus comes from the Greek word 'xeros' meaning "dry" and 'sicyos' meaning cucumber in reference to this being a dry growing member of the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae). The specific epithet honors the French botanist Paul A. Danguy (1862-1942). Other commons name for it include Silver Dollar Vine or Dollar Vine.
The information on this page is based on the research that we have conducted about this plant in the San Marcos Growers library, from what we have found on reliable online sources, as well as from observations made of our crops of this plant growing in the nursery and of plants growing in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we may have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Xerosicyos danguyi. |
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