Description
Orbea variegata is a succulent perennial plant without leaves, glabra, which forms a kind of lumps. The stems of four angles are usually prominently sharp, with a soft tip, mottled gray green in full sun. Each stem can reach more than 25 cm (10 inches).
Flower similar to that of a starfish, corolla up to 7.5 cm (3 inches) wide, transversely, pale greenish yellow with dark purple-brown spots mainly in 6 to 7 rows or, sometimes, irregularly arranged , pentagonal ring, up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) across, pale yellow with small dots, yellow crown lobes, purple speckled or purple. Fruits smooth, cylindrical, stained and with purple dots, up to 12.5 cm (5 inches) long.
Scientific name
Orbea variegata (L.) Haw.
Common names
Starfish Plant, Starfish Cactus, Star Flower, Carrion Cactus, Carrion Flower, Toad Cactus, Toad Plant
Synonyms
Stapelia variegata (basionym), Stapelia atrata, Stapelia ciliolulata, Stapelia clypeata, Stapelia hanburyana, Stapelia planiflora, Stapelia rugosa
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Ceropegieae
Subtribu: Stapeliinae
Genus: Orbea
Origin
Native of South Africa (Cape Province).
How to grow and care
Water in moderation, allowing the soil to dry between waterings and fertilize the plants during the seasons of active growth. Keep it almost dry in the winter, but water occasionally to avoid wrinkles. As this plant comes from a rainy area in winter, it should be given a rest period with reduced irrigation during the summer months.
The soil must be well drained and rich in organic matter. It prefers a well-drained sandy environment consisting of equal parts of washed river sand, potting soil and topsoil.
Try to emulate its natural habitat, placing it so that it is protected from the sun during the hottest hours of the day. This plant prefers sun at dawn or at sunset.
When grown as an ornamental plant in temperate zones, it requires protection, since it does not tolerate freezing temperatures.
Keeping starfish plants and their roots free of pests, such as mealy bugs, is the real key to success, since fungal attack often occurs as a result of insect stem damage.
Orbea variegata is a succulent perennial plant without leaves, glabra, which forms a kind of lumps. The stems of four angles are usually prominently sharp, with a soft tip, mottled gray green in full sun. Each stem can reach more than 25 cm (10 inches).
Flower similar to that of a starfish, corolla up to 7.5 cm (3 inches) wide, transversely, pale greenish yellow with dark purple-brown spots mainly in 6 to 7 rows or, sometimes, irregularly arranged , pentagonal ring, up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) across, pale yellow with small dots, yellow crown lobes, purple speckled or purple. Fruits smooth, cylindrical, stained and with purple dots, up to 12.5 cm (5 inches) long.
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Scientific name
Orbea variegata (L.) Haw.
Common names
Starfish Plant, Starfish Cactus, Star Flower, Carrion Cactus, Carrion Flower, Toad Cactus, Toad Plant
Synonyms
Stapelia variegata (basionym), Stapelia atrata, Stapelia ciliolulata, Stapelia clypeata, Stapelia hanburyana, Stapelia planiflora, Stapelia rugosa
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Ceropegieae
Subtribu: Stapeliinae
Genus: Orbea
Origin
Native of South Africa (Cape Province).
How to grow and care
Water in moderation, allowing the soil to dry between waterings and fertilize the plants during the seasons of active growth. Keep it almost dry in the winter, but water occasionally to avoid wrinkles. As this plant comes from a rainy area in winter, it should be given a rest period with reduced irrigation during the summer months.
The soil must be well drained and rich in organic matter. It prefers a well-drained sandy environment consisting of equal parts of washed river sand, potting soil and topsoil.
Try to emulate its natural habitat, placing it so that it is protected from the sun during the hottest hours of the day. This plant prefers sun at dawn or at sunset.
When grown as an ornamental plant in temperate zones, it requires protection, since it does not tolerate freezing temperatures.
Keeping starfish plants and their roots free of pests, such as mealy bugs, is the real key to success, since fungal attack often occurs as a result of insect stem damage.
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