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| syn. - |
| distribution:
South-Africa: Eastern Cape |
| This species
was only discovered in the year 2004 on Middledrift Farm in the Cathcart District of the in the Eastern Cape
Province, South Africa. It is one of
the very few Ceropegia species that occur in grassland (1300 m altitude).
It is closely related to Ceropegia stentiae. It is an non-succulent, upright growing, non-climbing species with subterranean tubers which can reach about 5 cm in diameter. The stem is not succulent and reaches a length of only about 6 cm. The elliptic-shaped, also non-succulent leaves are about 4,5 to 5,5 cm long and 2 to 3 cm broad, they appear on an up to 1,2 cm long petiole. The flowers appear solitary and reach a length of up to 6 cm. They show a strongly convoluted flower-tube and narrow, very long petals which are united at the end. While Ceropegia macmasteri is so far only known from one location, it is very likely to be more widespread in the fairly extensive grassland habitat of the area. It is only because it is so small and insignificant, sheltered in the taller grass sward that surrounds it, that it has not been observed eslewhere as yet. Although the alien Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) which was introduced from Australia, has infested part of the general area where it occurs, the land owners are aware of the necessity to preserve this population and will ensure the eradication of this threat to its long term survival. |
 left:Ceropegia macmasteri Photo: by courtesy of Cameron and Rhoda McMaster http://africanbulbs.com |
 left:Ceropegia macmasteri, seed pods Photo: by courtesy of Cameron and Rhoda McMaster http://africanbulbs.com |
| References: - A. P. Dold: Ceropegia macmasteri (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoidese-Ceropegieae), a new species from Eastern Cape, South Africa; South African Journal of Botany. 2006. 72, 144 - 146 - text amended by Cameron McMaster http://africanbulbs.com/page7.html (thank You so much !) |