What is dorstenia?

Dorstenia is a genus of about 170 species of tropical plants in the family of Moaceae plants, belonging to the same family as Fig and Mulberry. This genus is mainly composed of wood or herbal permanent shrubs and geophytes. Generally divided into succulent and broken species, plants in this genus are in one stomo, so they look like a miniature palm. The most significant characteristics of these plants are structures similar to a flower called hypodium, of which the fleshy and elongated inflorescences expand. Of these structures, the plants Dorstenia came in general called the flowers of the shields.

One of the species most commonly grown in domestic gardens, d. foetida , is an example of succulent Dorstenia . Endemic for Bushlands, rock outcrops and open spots in Africa and the Middle East, stem d. Foetis can grow to 0.5 feet (0.1 m) with a diameter and 1.3 feet (0.4 m) in height. NThe Ativian caribbean area may grow up to 1.5 feet (0.5 m).

In general, the leaves of the plants dorstenia are widely elliptical and light green to gray green. In addition to the odd inflorescences, it is another characteristic that makes these plants popular in household gardeners, its method of spreading. After ripe explodes, they explode and send seeds flying up to 7 feet (2 m) at a distance. Some species are self -growing, while others, such as the largest, d. Gigas , needs two plants to make seeds. dorstenia plants can also be grown cuts if there is enough space for latering when stopped in pots.

While these plants prefer consistent and generally warm temperatures, their water varies depending on the season of the year. During the summer months, regular to abundant watering is recommended. Only when the weather cools can they survive with a smallerwater. They may survive the period without water, but the soil should not be completely dry.

Several types of Dorstenia are awarded in Africa, Central America and South America for their anti-infectious, anti-ripeumatic and febrifugal properties. Decoction of leaves d. In Panama and Mexico, d. In addition to their therapeutic use, the dorstenia plants are also used in food preparation, such as d. Foetis , where the tubers are cooked and consumed in Oman and d. Psilurus .