Scientific Name
Desmidorchis tardellii Mosti & Raffaelli
Synonym(s)
Crenulluma tardellii
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Ceropegieae
Subtribe: Stapeliinae
Genus: Desmidorchis
Etymology
The specific epithet "tardellii" (pronounced "tar-DEL-ee-eye") honors Marcello Tardelli (1944-2017), a prominent Italian botanist associated with the University of Florence, specifically within the Tropical Herbarium Study Center (Centro Studi Erbario Tropicale).
Origin
Desmidorchis tardellii is native to Oman.
Description
Desmidorchis tardellii is a small succulent that forms clumps of erect, light green or grayish stems, attractively mottled with red or brown.
The flowers are star-shaped, creamy-white, and appear in large, many-flowered clusters in fall.
How to Grow and Care for Desmidorchis tardellii
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 11a to 11b: from 40°F (4.4°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Stapeliads are relatively easy to grow. However, they should be treated as outdoor plants 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 that survive extremely high temperatures in the summer months, so most growth is in spring and autumn, with flowering in autumn when the weather cools down. Water in moderation when needed during the growing season, ensuring the soil is pretty dry between waterings. Do not water between November 1 and March 1.
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 place pure gravel or sand around the base to prevent rot.
The easiest and best way to propagate Stapeliads is with stem cuttings, which can be taken virtually year-round. Seed is also a method of propagation.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Stapeliads.
Links
- Back to genus Desmidorchis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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