Family: Apocynaceae
Common name: Dischidia
This is one of the very few plants I have seen, without a common name, and that got me thinking. With a name as complicated as Dischidia, what does that mean?
That it has been introduced to the market by nurseries, and has been adopted by gardening enthusiasts and plant collectors, who don’t need a simple name. This tropical plant has been adorning home gardens in many countries and is loved for its cascading growing habit.
Plant characteristics
Dischidia plants are epiphytes, growing on trees or wooden structures, absorbing nutrients and water their hanging roots.
Hence their underground root system is not very strong, but it can keep the plant attached to the substrate they are growing on, with many fibrous extensions.
The stem is slim, flexible, pale green, trailing, or hanging down in a cascading manner. Dischidia stems are covered with tiny, hair-like structures that help the plant absorb moisture. These stems are strong and can break while handling them roughly.
Leaves of Dischidia are small, oval, glossy, succulent, and pale green with the variegated one having white or grey color around the edges. They are 2-3 cm in length with a narrow base and broad, rounded tip. These leaves have a smooth, leathery texture which helps prevent water loss from its surface.
Dischidia plants produce small star-shaped, white or pale green flowers, but this is not very common on house plants. The flowers are bulbous and look like tiny pomegranates with a rounded base and five distinct petals.
They are about .5 cm long and bloom in clusters. These plants can also produce small, spherical, green fruits that contain seeds. But flowering and fruiting is not very common in plants bought from nurseries.
Gardening tips
Dischidia plants do very well in hanging pots or planters since their long trailing stems can cascade from the sides downwards.
They prefer indirect or filtered sunlight and grow well underneath large spreading trees. These plants can also be grown indoors near a bright, sunny window.
Since these plants store water in their stems and leaves, they do not need regular watering. Water when the soil is dry to the touch, and during summer months.
When there is moisture in the air, these plants can absorb moisture through their hanging roots, little brown fibers that can be seen arising from the nodes.
Ensure that the soil is well-draining and airy since water logging can lead to root and stem rot in these succulent plants. They are not heavy-feeders, and need fertilization only once in 3-4 months.
Pruning can be done to tame any extra-long stems, or diseased ones. But Dischidia plants naturally look very pretty, and do not need much maintenance to keep them thriving and elegant.
Uses of Dischidia
Dischidia plants are grown as ornamental plants in hanging baskets and pots, to make the garden beautiful. Their leaves are said to help in removing toxins from the air, thus purifying it. Otherwise, they do not have medicinal or commercial uses.
Propagation
Propagation is through stem cuttings, that root well in well-drained soil. As with most succulents, allow the cuttings to dry overnight before planting them.
Photographed at: Thrissur, Kerala
