A caudex-forming Moraceae described by Engler in 1894 (Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 20: 146), with the epithet honouring the German plant collector Johann Maria Hildebrandt. The species ranges across a broad swath of East Africa — Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo and Mozambique — where it grows in dry forest, woodland and bushland, often anchored in cracks of coral-rag limestone or granitic outcrops. From a pear-shaped to globose grey-brown caudex it lifts fleshy leaves and the disc-shaped Moraceae inflorescence (a hypanthodium); compared with its close relative D. foetida it scales up a notch, which has earned it a place among caudex enthusiasts as the slightly larger, more substantial Dorstenia to grow alongside the entry-level foetida.
Native climate
Rainfall is spread fairly evenly across the year. Overall a warm climate.
A broad-scale picture of the native range. Real growing spots — rock crevices, fog belts — can be milder.
Sources: climate & elevation WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000) · occurrences GBIF · native range POWO · current weather Open-Meteo
Care
Light & Placement
In its East African home it grows under woodland canopy on coral-rag limestone or granitic outcrops, in light conditions ranging from open shade to dappled sun, so the caudex itself never needs full direct exposure. During active growth, half-shade or about 30% shading outdoors keeps both leaves and caudex from scorching. In Japan's midsummer push the shading to 30–50% and raise the pot on a bench for airflow. Once autumn temperatures start dropping below 15°C, move the plant to a bright indoor window and overwinter above a 10°C minimum.
Watering
In active growth, water thoroughly once the surface dries — the species follows the marked wet-and-dry seasonal rhythm of its native range, so the standard summer-grower cycle suits it well. Through dormancy go essentially dry, with at most a monthly misting.
Substrate
Drainage first, inorganic-led: Akadama : Kanuma : pumice = 4:3:3. Because the caudex grows somewhat larger than foetida, use a deeper pot to keep clean wet–dry cycles.
Fertilizer & Supplements
A diluted liquid feed once or twice a month in active growth, or a pinch of slow-release at repotting. It does not push as fast as foetida, so feed lightly and let the caudex thicken slowly.
Temperature & Overwintering
Active growth runs 22–32°C; aim for a 10°C minimum. A touch more cold-sensitive than foetida — keep it off windowsills that drop near 5°C and overwinter dry where night temperatures stay above 10°C.
Starting from Seed
Where to source seeds
links go directly to the product page; the rest are scientific-name searches. Stock fluctuates — verify availability on the destination site.
Pre-sowing treatment
Soak seeds for about half a day (overnight) in a mix of a registered seed-treatment fungicide (Benlate or Daconil) and a plant tonic (Menedael; outside Japan, SUPERthrive or a chelated iron / seaweed extract works similarly), each diluted per label. Freshness is everything — sow as soon after harvest as possible.
Substrate
A fine-grained, near-sterile seedling mix: fine Akadama, fine Kanuma, vermiculite in 1:1:1 parts. Sterilize with boiling water or a microwave pass to head off damping-off.
Sowing method
Seeds are tiny, around 1–2 mm. Sow with no covering, or only the thinnest dusting so the seeds remain partly visible, and space them at least 1 cm apart.
Light & temperature
Bright shade or under LEDs at a steady 25–30°C. Expect germination in 7–21 days. Germination depends strongly on seed freshness, but fresh seed tends to come up well.
Watering
Bottom-water with the level 1–2 cm up the pot. For the first 2–3 weeks, don't let the substrate dry out, then drop the level gradually as seedlings come up.
Fertilizer
No feeding right after germination. Once true leaves emerge, give a heavily diluted liquid fertilizer once or twice a month.
From Germination to Repotting
Germination through true leaves
Continue bottom watering, avoid strong light.
Weaning off bottom watering
Transition gradually over 1–2 months.
First repotting
In the first or second year, once the plant has become root-bound.
Common Pitfalls
Mold & damping-off
- Cause: excess moisture, contamination, poor air flow
- Prevention: sterilize substrate, change bottom water frequently
Etiolation
- Cause: insufficient light
- Prevention: bring LEDs closer right after germination, or move to bright shade outdoors
Seeds fail to germinate
- Cause: stale seed, insufficient warmth
- Prevention: fresh seed and 25–30°C on a heat mat
Notes
The sap is mildly toxic.
