Orbea distincta

Scientific Name

Orbea distincta (E.A. Bruce) Bruyns

Synonym(s)

Angolluma distincta, Caralluma distincta, Pachycymbium distinctum, Ceropegia distinctantha

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Orbea distincta is a succulent plant with trailing branched stems with cylindrical cross-section and well-developed, tapering, alternating pairs of teeth. Branches are up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long, up to 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) in diameter. They are pale green, grey-green, or olive-green, mottled or streaked darker green, and maroon. Flowers are erect, usually bicolored with the brown or carmine color on the lobes fading to pale creamy-yellow within the tube.

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 fairly 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 water withdrawal during the winter months. A minimum winter temperature of 10°C (50°F) is acceptable, providing that plants are kept absolutely 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 compost surface prevents moisture from accumulating around the base of the 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

This species is native to Tanzania and Kenya.