Day 33: Otherwise known as "Rosary Vine," the flowers which precede Ceropegia woodii's characteristic "beads" are fascinatingly unique. At roughly 3/4" long, the reproductive structures are concealed within a rounded base which narrows abruptly into a tube capped with five fuzzy purple incurved petals joined at the tips. In the wild, pollination is carried out by tiny flies which are prevented from escaping the tube by fine, downward-pointing hairs; in cultivation, it may require a human assist from a second plant. Fertile seed pods developing on Ceropegia in the home are rare. That said, this Ceropegia is not limited to a single reproductive strategy. It also forms knob-like tubers (the "beads of the rosary") at its leaf axils. When these grow to sufficient size, their weight breaks the stem and drops to the ground (if it doesn't get caught in the tangled vine!). Once in contact with moist soil, the tuber puts out roots and a new plant is established.
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