Apetalous Succulent Plants

Aloe Vera

• One of the best known of the apetalous succulents is the aloe vera. Known since the days of the Roman empire, these plants have long been cultivated for the healing power of the juice in their leaves. The leaves of the aloe plant form slender spires that grow in a rosette shape. During the winter months, these plants will sometimes grow small clusters of tube-shaped red, orange or yellow flowers without petals.

Euphorbia

• Although there are more than 8,000 different plants in this family that includes the poinsettia, the most common feature of these plants is that they bear flowers without petals. Most of them are similar to the poinsettia in that they have brightly colored leaves surrounding a central flower structure. While many of these plants hold extra moisture in their leaves, the sap of many members of this family is irritating to both eyes and skin.

Piperales

• Piperales plants include a large number of tropical shrubs and small trees as well as herbs.

  Some of the plants produce aromatic oils, while others are grown for spices. Some of these plants -- the Peperomia in particular-- have large fleshy leaves and grow on rotten logs and other decayed material. Blooms of this plant often occur in clusters on spikes, but do not have petals. Other members of the family sport colorful leaves that make them attractive houseplants.

Haemanthus

• The Haemanthus plant is often referred to as the shaving brush. While its flowers have no petals, its blossom consists of a multitude of white filaments topped by yellow anthers, the part of the flower that holds the pollen. These numerous filaments look much like the fine bristles of a brush, hence the plant's name. While it is common in southern California, it is not suited to more moderate climates.