Dorstenia foetida 'Variegata' --Variegated Shield Flower--

This ultra-strange plant is perfect for a collector with a floral cabinet of curiosities. Looks like a tiny fat palm tree. "Flowers" are actually "hypanthodium" that shed tiny fruits which readily self-seed. Drought-tolerant, protect from frost. Don't overwater. More light = more compact growth. This 'other worldly' curiosity is a fig relative from Tanzania and is a larger grower than most other Dorstenia species, reaching well over 12 inches. The trunk is swollen and knobby with many side branches. The variegation in the bright green leaves is quite pretty but intermittent. The 'flowers' are hand-like structures called hypanthodiums and look like green sunflowers. Very popular, easy to cultivate species. The variegation is always there but in certain growing conditions it comes and goes.