Scientific Name
Orbea caudata (N.E.Br.) Bruyns
Synonyms
Caralluma caudata, Orbea caudata subsp. caudata
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Ceropegieae
Subtribe: Stapeliinae
Genus: Orbea
Description
Orbea caudata is a low-growing succulent with dark olive-green or grey-green stems that spread over the ground forming lax mats. The stems are more or less mottled with brownish or purple, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) across, excluding teeth. The teeth are long-tapering, spine-like, more or less spaced, horizontally spreading or up-curved, and up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long. The five-pointed, star-shaped flowers are yellowish to dark-yellow and produced in late summer or fall.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Several species are relatively easy to grow. Others, often those with slightly hairy stems and the more unusual flowers, are more challenging and require careful watering (with some fertilizer) during the growing season and complete withdrawal of water during the winter months. A minimum winter temperature of 10°C (50°F) is acceptable, providing that plants are kept dry. A heated growing bench or incubator may help delicate plants to get through the colder months. However, many species live under shrubs in their habitat and prefer light shade rather than full sun.
A gritty compost is essential, and clay pots are advisable for the more delicate species. Some growers prefer mineral-only compost to minimize the chance of a fungal attack on the roots. A layer of grit on the surface of the compost prevents moisture from accumulating around the base of stems.
Keeping Stapelias and their roots free of pests such as mealybugs is the real key to success, as fungal attack often occurs due to damage to stems by insects.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Stapelia.
Origin
Native to Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Southeast Angola, Northeast Namibia, and Botswana.
Subspecies
Links
- Back to genus Orbea
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
