Distribution
Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and in South Africa along the northeast KwaZulu-Natal coast.
Description
Microcoelia obovata miniature sized, hot to warm growing leafless
epiphyte with thick stiff tangled roots.
Microceolia is a genus consisting of 31 species endemic to
Africa 3 species occurring in South Africa, M. aphylla, M. exilis, M. obovata.
All species are monopodial and leafless with an extensive branching root system
with long roots resembling an untidy bird’s nest. The roots grow into open
clumps that allow a maximum amount of light to reach all of the roots. The
roots contain the chlorophyll that aids in photosynthesis. Plants have a stem
from which very small, green or white tinged flowers are borne on a flowering
stem.
Habitat
Very localized in hot humid woodland, grasslands and
riverine forests often in exposed locations from sea level to 250 m.
Flowering Period
Microcoelia obovata flowers for me north of Durban at the end
of October into November
Cultivation
As with the other two species of South African Microceolia it
is very easy to grow in cultivation provided it is hot and humid enough and
given adequate light.
Watering
My plants get misted daily other than when we experience
cold wet days.
Feeding
I feed my plants once to twice per week with a very diluted fertilizer
making sure to drench the plants heavily between feeding to prevent salt
buildup which is fatal to all Microceolia species.
Article written by Michael Hickman on the
09.11.24
Please visit my websites at
https://www.hlem.co.za/indigenous_plants/plants.html
other blogs at
https://ecomandurban.blogspot.com/
https://luthulienvironment.blogspot.com/
https://emalangeniforest.blogspot.com/
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