Dorstenia Species, Contrayerva Root, Mapipire Root, Tusilla, Wart Flower

Found these plants growing wild here in Guanacaste, last year and at first thought the were watermelons.
Of course, they aren't bu...Read Moret they are very attractive and quite an addition to one's plant collection

This dorstenia is easy to grow in our zone (9) and the unusual green grainy flowers make it an interesting pot plant. It will self-sow qu...Read Moreite readily and is easy to find because of its distinctive deeply cleft leaves. My cultivar stays pretty small--maybe 8" at the most and a foot across. It will grow in shade with just a little filtered sun and is not fussy about soil or water. There are lots of species of Dorstenia and many of them are succulents, although this species is not. I don't know if it is poisonous, but I have handled it with no problems.

A common name for this plant is "Rock Begonia." It isn't related to begonias, of course, but the inflorescence does look rock-like. The...Read More seeds form right in the flower. It is most unusual. As the seeds ripen, they pop out. If they happen to land in a suitable place, like under my cutting bed, they will sprout. It has been taking care of itself in my yard for many years.

The roots of this species are said to be highly aromatic, and has the reputation of being medicinal.