Scientific Name
Duvalia elegans (Masson) Haw.
Common Name(s)
Elegant Duvalia
Synonym(s)
Ceropegia jacquiniana, Stapelia elegans, Stapelia jacquiniana, Stisseria elegans
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Ceropegieae
Subtribe: Stapeliinae
Genus: Duvalia
Etymology
The specific epithet "elegans (ELL-eh-ganz)" means "fine, elegant or handsome" and refers to the graceful appearance of this species.
Origin
Duvalia elegans is native to South Africa. It grows under bushes on gravelly soils from Worcester to Riversdale in the Western Cape province.
Description
Duvalia elegans is a charming succulent with short, dull green or purplish-tinted stems with 4 to 5 angles lined with conical tubercles. The stems are either decumbent or ascending and can grow to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long and 0.7 inches (1.8 cm) thick.
The star-shaped flowers are shiny, dark purple-brown, with coarse hairs on the annulus and bases of the corolla lobes, and the corona almost covers the annulus. They appear 2 to 3 together on stalks, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, near the base of the stems, developing successively in fall. The corolla is rather flat and can reach up to 0.9 inches (2.2 cm) in diameter. The outer corona is dark red-brown, disk-shaped, measuring up to 0.3 inches (0.7 cm) in diameter, while the inner corona lobes are pale brownish-yellow.
Duvalia elegans is the type species of the genus Duvalia.
How to Grow and Care for Duvalia elegans
Light: D. elegans grows best in full sun or partial shade. It will benefit from light shade during the hottest summer days. Indoors, place the plant near the brightest window in your home. It will stretch if it does not have enough sunlight. Avoid abruptly moving plants adapted to lower light levels to full sun to prevent sunburn.
Soil: Use commercial potting soil mix for succulents or prepare your own with 50 to 70 % mineral grit, such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite.
Temperature: This plant thrives in warm outdoor environments with low to moderate humidity. It does not like winter cold and should remain fairly dry and warm during its winter dormancy. D. elegans can withstand temperatures as low as 40 °F (4.4 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 11a to 11b, 40 to 50 °F (4.4 to 10 °C).
Watering: D. elegans has typical watering needs for a succulent. Water your plant thoroughly during the growing season, from spring to fall, and allow the soil to dry between waterings. The plant goes dormant in winter and needs almost no water, about once a month.
Fertilizing: To keep your plant healthy and thriving, fertilizing is a good idea. Feed with water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength only when the plant is actively growing.
Repotting: Repot your plant in spring just before the growing season. D. elegans has shallow roots and does not require too much soil to grow. Pick a container with drainage holes.
Propagation: The best way to propagate this succulent is by stem cuttings. Take cuttings during the growing season to ensure good rooting. D. elegans is also easy to grow from seeds. Sow the seeds in spring.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Stapeliads.
Toxicity of Duvalia elegans
D. elegans has no toxic effects reported. It is safe around pets and humans.
Links
- Back to genus Duvalia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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