Scientific Name
Orbea namaquensis (N.E.Br.) L.C.Leach
Common Name(s)
Namaqua Orbea
Synonym(s)
Stapelia namaquensis, Ceropegia namaquana
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Ceropegieae
Subtribe: Stapeliinae
Genus: Orbea
Description
Orbea namaquensis is a clumping or mat-forming succulent with leafless, shortly prostrate at first, then decumbent stems. It grows up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) tall. The stems are 4-angled, sometimes almost cylindrical, up to 0.7 inches (1.8 cm) thick, excluding the teeth. They are green and prettily marked with irregular purple stripes where exposed to the sun. Flowers are pale greenish-yellow, irregularly marked with dark purple-brown, up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter, and produced in succession on lower stem.
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 attacks often result from damage to stems by insects.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Stapelia.
Origin
This species is native to South Africa.
Links
- Back to genus Orbea
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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