Scientific Name
Apteranthes burchardii (N.E.Br.) Plowes
Synonym(s)
Caralluma burchardii, Ceropegia burchardii
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Ceropegieae
Subtribe: Stapeliinae
Genus: Apteranthes
Etymology
The specific epithet "burchardii" (pronounced "burk-ARD-ee-eye") honors Oskar Burchard🡕 (1863-1949), a German botanist and naturalist who spent much of his life in Tenerife and is known for his contributions to the flora of the Canary Islands.
Origin
Apteranthes burchardii is native to the eastern Canary Islands archipelago and adjacent Morocco.
Description
Apteranthes burchardii, formerly known as Caralluma burchardii, is a shrubby succulent with xerophytic features and a cactus-like appearance. It has strong erect stems with slender subterranean runners, forming heaps up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall and up to 24 inches (60 cm) in diameter.
The flowers are green to yellow, densely covered with white hairs in the middle, and violet to maroon in the shape of a star.
Subspecies of Apteranthes burchardii
- Apteranthes burchardii subsp. burchardii
- Apteranthes burchardii subsp. maura
How to Grow and Care for Apteranthes burchardii
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Stapeliads are relatively easy to grow. They should be treated as an outdoor plant, as they will easily rot indoors and cannot flower without exposure to outdoor temperature fluctuations. They should be grown under cover so that watering can be controlled. They require a reasonable amount of sunlight to promote flowering and maintain a well-shaped plant. Very shady positions will produce very poor flowering. Stapeliads come from climates where they survive extremely high temperatures in the summer months, so most growth is in spring and fall, with flowering in fall when the weather starts to cool down.
The easiest and best way to propagate Stapeliads is by stem cuttings, which can be taken virtually year-round. Seed is also a method of propagation. They all need extra good drainage. Stapeliads are shallow-rooted, and a collection of them can be planted up nicely in a wide, shallow bowl. When planting, it is a good idea to bury the roots in soil and then cover the base with pure gravel or sand to prevent rot.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Stapeliads.
Links
- Back to genus Apteranthes
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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