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Waterstem Trumpet

Flower type: Annual (Stores water in its stem)

This large flower grows up to 3.8 feet (1.1 meters) tall. Its lime green stem is very thick and straight with a curved tip, and the miniature, orange-yellow leaves are dark orange-yellow on the underside and are wide with wavy edges. Many leaves grow at the base of the stem, and more leaves alternate on the stem from about halfway up, up to the flower head.

A single medium-sized flower sits at the end of the stem. The flowers are 26 cm (10.2 inches) wide, with alternating petals of grey and light red, with a light brown central disk. The flower head is shaped like a trumpet with 43 tightly layered, round-tipped petals. They are very delicate.

It has a faint scent that smells like rich perfume, and it has an average amount of pollen. It is pollinated by a small species of bird.

It is suitable for use as a construction material
It is possible to grow it from cuttings.
The leaves are bitter, but very healthy.