Caralluma indica (Indian Caralluma)

Scientific Name

Caralluma indica (Wight & Arn.) N.E.Br.

Common Names

Indian Caralluma

Synonyms

Hutchinia indica (basionym), Hitchinia indica, Boucerosia hutchinia, Boucerosia indica, Desmidorchis indica

Scientific Classification

Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Ceropegieae
Subtribe: Stapeliinae
Genus: Caralluma

Description

Caralluma indica is a small, erect, succulent plant up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall. The leaves are small and reduced to scales. The flower stalks are up to 0.2 inch (5 mm) long. It flowers in few-flowered, umbel-like cymes at branch-ends. The flower are 5 angled, reddish-brown or purplish.

Photo via florakarnataka.ces.iisc.ac.in

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

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 autumn, with flowering in autumn when the weather starts to cool down.

The easiest and best way to propagate Stapeliads is from stem cuttings which can be taken virtually throughout the year. 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 allow the roots to be buried in soil and then put pure gravel or sand around the base of the plant to prevent rot… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Stapeliads