Duvalia caespitosa

Scientific Name

Duvalia caespitosa Haw.

Synonym(s)

Ceropegia caespitosa, Ceropegia caespitosa subsp. caespitosa, Duvalia caespitosa subsp. caespitosa, Stapelia caespitosa, Stisseria caespitosa, Stisseria glomerata, Stisseria laevigata, Stisseria radiata

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Duvalia caespitosa is a succulent plant with small, fleshy stems that creep along the ground, rooting as they go, to form a mat. The stems are dull blue-green to pinkish, leafless, and slightly toothed stems. Flowers are maroon, star-shaped, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter, with five narrow fleshy petals, and held on pinkish stems.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 11a to 11b: from 40 °F (+4.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

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 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. Water in moderation when needed in the growing season, making sure soil is fairly dried out between waterings. Do not water between November 1 and March 1.

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.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Stapeliads.

Origin

This species is native to South Africa.