Strophanthus boivinii, commonly known as Wood Shaving Flower, is a striking ornamental shrub or small tree endemic to Madagascar's dry deciduous forests. The unusual orange-brown corkscrew flowers with yellow margins resemble wooden shavings, making it a highly prized but challenging species in cultivation. Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions but the species is noted as difficult to propagate.
Before sowing
No pre-treatment needed — sow directly.
Fresh seeds germinate better than stored seeds. Seeds are large and may benefit from light sanding to remove waxy coating.
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Use fresh seeds as viability decreases rapidly with storage. Light scarification may improve germination. Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging during germination phase. Provide bright indirect light after germination to avoid leggy seedlings. Seeds may germinate unevenly over 4-6 weeks; maintain humidity throughout. Transplant seedlings carefully when first true leaves appear. Avoid direct sunlight on newly germinated seedlings. The plant is toxic; handle seeds with care and do not ingest.
Sources: Top Tropicals, Kew Science Plants of the World Online, Tropical Plants Database, Rare Palm Seeds, Wikipedia
