Xerosicyos Green Drum

Xerosicyos is a foliage plant genus of the family Cucurbitaceae. Its name comes from Greek xeros (meaning “dry”) and sicyos (“cucumber”). There are three species, all endemic to Madagascar. Xerosicyos danguyi is a large liana with thick stems and round, gray succulent leaves. It is common in cultivation and often called the “silver dollar” vine. Xerosicyos perrieri is also a liana with thinner stems and smaller, ovate green succulent leaves. Xerosicyos pubescens is entirely different from the previous species. It forms a large caudex from which deciduous vines emerge. The leaves are lobed and semi-succulent and die back in the dry season and during prolonged periods of drought.