Cucurbitaceae
Family of climbing and trailing plants known as cucurbits or gourds. Many species from arid regions of Africa and Mexico develop massive underground caudices or tubers. Includes genera such as Kedrostis, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Citrullus and many with ornamental value for their curious caudices.
Bryonia
Bryonia
Historical genus of the family Cucurbitaceae including climbing plants with rhizomes or tubers, native to Europe, Africa and Asia. The South African species listed under Bryonia have largely been reclassified under Kedrostis, although the name Bryonia persists in collections and older literature. They are caudiciform plants highly sought by succulent and caudiciform collectors.
Cephalopentandra
Cephalopentandra
Monospecific or bitypic genus of the Cucurbitaceae family native to East and Northeast Africa. Species are rare caudiciform plants with a semi-buried succulent caudex, slender annual stems and small yellow flowers. Unlike most Cucurbitaceae, they lack tendrils (hence the epithet "ecirrhosa"). Classified under Bulbs and Caudiciformes due to their caudiciform growth habit, they are of interest among collectors of unusual succulent plants.
Coccinia
Coccinia
Collyris
Collyris
Coniandra
Coniandra
Dendrosicyos
Dendrosicyos
Monotypic genus of the family Cucurbitaceae endemic to the island of Socotra (Yemen), the only true tree in the entire cucumber family. Its name literally means "cucumber tree" (dendro = tree, sicyos = cucumber). Dendrosicyos socotrana is a caudiciform tree with a very swollen pachycaul trunk of whitish, papery bark, adapted to the extreme arid conditions of the island. Socotra Island harbours one of the highest levels of botanical endemism on the planet and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This tree is one of the most iconic symbols of Socotran flora.
Gerrardanthus
Gerrardanthus
Genus of caudiciform plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, native to eastern and southern Africa. They develop a massive woody caudex at the base from which slender climbing stems emerge, capable of reaching several meters in length. Highly prized in succulent and caudiciform collections for their architectural form and slow growth.
Ibervillea
Ibervillea
Genus of caudiciform vines in the family Cucurbitaceae with tuberous roots emerging from the soil. Native to southwestern North America. Plants form a turnip-like caudex that stores water and nutrients. Lobed leaves and small flowers.
Kedrostis
Kedrostis
Genus of caudiciform climbing plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, known as "African cucumber relatives". Tuberous geophytes with a prominent caudex that stores water and nutrients, allowing them to survive prolonged droughts. Climbing stems are annual or semi-permanent, with tendrils, lobed leaves, and small unisexual flowers. Fruits are small berries, often brightly coloured. Of great importance in caudiciform plant collections.
Maximowiczia
Maximowiczia
Genus of the family Cucurbitaceae currently considered synonymous with Ibervillea. Includes geophytic vines with pronounced tubers or caudex, native to Mexico and the southwestern USA. The species produce small fruits and are prized in caudex collections. The name honours the Russian botanist Carl Maximowicz.
Momordica
Momordica
Genus of the family Cucurbitaceae with approximately 60 species distributed across Africa, Asia, and Australia. Includes food species such as bitter melon (M. charantia) and caudiciform collector species such as M. rostrata. Caudiciform species develop large fusiform tuberous roots or tubers that allow them to survive in arid and semi-arid zones.
Raphanistrocarpus
Raphanistrocarpus
Genus of caudiciform climbing plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, endemic mainly to Madagascar. They develop a prominent woody basal caudex that allows them to survive prolonged seasonal drought. Species produce twining stems, rough or lobed leaves, and fruits resembling small radishes (hence the name). They are of great horticultural interest for their combination of ornamental caudex and climbing habit.
Raphanocarpus
Raphanocarpus
Genus closely related to Raphanistrocarpus within the family Cucurbitaceae, distributed from Madagascar to southern Africa (Namibia). Raphanocarpus species feature prominent basal tubers or caudices, seasonal twining or prostrate stems, and fleshy fruits. They share with Raphanistrocarpus the geophytic strategy of water storage in thickened underground organs, making them notable in collections of succulent and caudiciform plants.
Rhynchocarpa
Rhynchocarpa
Genus of caudiciform climbing plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, native to Africa. They develop a subterranean tuberous caudex allowing survival in semi-arid environments. Fruits are small and often spiny or beaked.
Seyrigia
Seyrigia
Genus of succulent caudiciform plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, endemic to Madagascar.
Sicydium
Sicydium
Genus of climbing plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, some with swollen tuberous bases.
Xerosicyos
Xerosicyos
Zygosicyos
Zygosicyos