The stems of Orbea cooperi resemble those of Orbea variegata and Orbea verrucosa, but they are darker in color. However, its flowers are quite different from those of both Orbea variegata and Orbea verrucosa.
Scientific Name
Orbea cooperi (N.E.Br.) L.C.Leach
Synonym(s)
Ceropegia cooperi, Stapelia cooperi, Stapeliopsis cooperi, Stultitia cooperi
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Ceropegieae
Subtribe: Stapeliinae
Genus: Orbea
Etymology
The specific epithet "cooperi (pronounced koo-PER-ee)" honors Thomas Cooper (1815-1913), an English botanist and explorer who collected plants in South Africa from 1859 to 1862. He was the father-in-law of Nicholas Edward Brown.
Origin
Orbea cooperi is native to southern South Africa. It grows among rocks and bushes in arid areas at elevations ranging from 2,950 to 4,920 feet (900 to 1,500 m). This species is mainly found in the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Free State provinces but has also been recorded in the Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.
Description
Orbea cooperi is a dwarf succulent that forms a dense clump of erect or ascending stems. The stems are green, marked with brown to purple patches and lines. They can grow up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long and 0.4 inches (1 cm) thick and have conical tubercles arranged into four rows along the stem with grooves between rows. The tubercles taper into slightly flattened sharp teeth, reaching lengths of up to 0.3 inches (0.7 cm)
In the fall, Orbea cooperi produces star-shaped flowers near the base of the stems. The flowers can reach up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter and appear either solitary or in groups of up to three and occasionally up to ten, developing in succession. The corolla is light purple-brown, textured with pale yellow transverse ridges and tubercles, becoming denser towards and on the annulus. The corona is red to deep maroon to pale yellow flecked with maroon, measuring up to 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) in diameter. The fruits are spindle-shaped follicles that can grow up to 3.6 inches (9 cm) long and 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) wide. They are pale with dense streaks of dark purple-brown.
How to Grow and Care for Orbea cooperi
Light: Orbea cooperi thrives in full sun or partial shade during the hottest summer days. Too much sun causes the stems to develop a protective pigmentation or get sunburned. Not enough light leads to weak, thin stems and fewer flowers. Indoors, place the plant near a sunny window in your home.
Soil: The right soil is crucial to growing a healthy plant. Use commercial soil for succulents, or prepare your own mix with 50 to 70 % mineral grit, such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite.
Temperature: This plant thrives in warm outdoor environments but does not like winter cold and should remain moderately dry and warm during its winter dormancy. Orbea cooperi grows best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 11a to 11b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 °F (4.4 to 10 °C).
Watering: It has typical watering needs for a succulent. During the growing season, water your plant thoroughly and allow the soil to dry before watering again. The plant goes dormant in winter and needs almost no water, about once a month.
Fertilizing: To keep it thriving, fertilization during the growing season is a good idea. Feed with water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength.
Repotting: Orbea cooperi will benefit from fresh potting soil every 2 or 3 years. Repot it in spring, just before the growing season starts. Pick a container with drainage holes.
Propagation: The best way to propagate this succulent is by stem cuttings. It is also easy to grow from seeds. Take cuttings during the growing season to ensure good rooting. Sow the seeds in spring.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Stapelia.
Toxicity of Orbea verrucosa
Orbea cooperi has no toxic effects reported. It is safe around pets and humans.
Links
- Back to genus Orbea
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
