Ophiocaulon
(from ophis, a serpent, and kaulon, a stem; in reference to its climbing habit). ORD. Passifloreae. A small genus (three or four species) of stove, climbing, herbaceous, very glabrous shrubs, natives of tropical Africa, Natal, and Madagascar. They are allied to Modecca, but have a deeply five-parted calyx, obscure corona, and sessile stigma. The undermentioned, the only species in cultivation, thrives in well-drained sandy loam and leaf mould, and does best when planted out in a border inside the house, and its shoots trained near the glass. Care must be taken to guard against excess of moisture, particularly during the dull winter months. For propagation, see Passiflora.
O. cissampeloides (Cissampelos-like). fl., male ones numerous, in stalked, terminal, and axillary, trichotomously divided, many-flowered cymes. l. orbicular or cordate, glaucous, marked with black dots beneath, deep green, often mottled with white above, 2in. to 3in. long. Branches slender, cylindrical. West tropical Africa, 1869. SYN. Passiflora marmorata, of gardens. (G. C. 1871, 234.)