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Huernia schneideriana, commonly known as the red dragon flower or medusa hair plant, is a perennial succulent in the dogbane and oleander family Apocynaceae, native to Tanzania in eastern Africa. The species is a popular houseplant because of its long, cascading leaves, and shallow crimson flowers. Introduced specimens of Huernia schneideriana have been spotted in Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, and India.
The most common use of Huernia schneideriana is as a decorative plant. Huernia schneideriana is an ideal houseplant for bright indoor locations and can be grown outdoors in suitable climates (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). The unique stems and flowers of Huernia schneideriana make it an interesting conversation piece and a popular choice for succulent collections. In its native region, the stems of some Huernia species were allegedly boiled eaten as a famine food. However, this is not a common or recommended practice due to the plant's uncommon and nutrient-poor nature.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Huernia schneideriana by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
