Scientific Name
Piaranthus geminatus var. foetidus (N.E. Br.) Meve
Accepted Scientific Name
Piaranthus geminatus (Masson) N.E. Br.
Synonym(s)
Piaranthus foetidus
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Ceropegieae
Subtribe: Stapeliinae
Genus: Piaranthus
Etymology
The specific epithet "geminatus" (pronounced "jem-in-AY-tus") means "paired; occurring in pairs," and it likely refers to the flowers of this species, which often appear in pairs, or to the fruits, which are paired follicles.
The varietal epithet "foetidus" (pronounced "FET-uh-dus") means "foul-smelling," "malodorous," or "having an unpleasant odor" and refers to the strong, unpleasant scent of the flowers of this variety.
Origin of Piaranthus geminatus var. foetidus
Piaranthus geminatus var. foetidus is native to South Africa (Eastern Cape and Western Cape). It is not accepted as a separate variety and is treated as a synonym of Piaranthus geminatus subsp. geminatus.
Description of Piaranthus geminatus var. foetidus
Piaranthus geminatus var. foetidus, also known as Piaranthus foetidus, is a dwarf, mat-forming succulent with 4- to 5-angled, gray-green stems that have small tubercles with apical deltoid leaf rudiment. The stems can grow up to 6 inches (125 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.
The flowers, which can reach a diameter of up to 1.2 inches (3 cm), are star-shaped and appear in the upper part of the stems in the fall. The outside of the corolla is smooth, green or green with a purplish hue, while the inside is finely hairy, yellow with short transverse purplish-crimson lines and spots. The tips of the lobes are sometimes almost entirely purplish-crimson. The corona is yellow to orange.
How to Grow and Care for Piaranthus geminatus var. foetidus
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Stapeliads are relatively easy to grow. However, they should be treated as outdoor plants as they will easily rot indoors and cannot flower without exposure to outdoor temperature fluctuations. They should be grown under cover so that watering can be controlled. They require a reasonable amount of sunlight to promote flowering and maintain a well-shaped plant. Very shady positions will produce very poor flowering. Stapeliads come from climates where they survive too high temperatures in the summer months, so most growth is in spring and autumn, with flowering in autumn when the weather starts to cool down.
The easiest and best way to propagate Stapeliads is from stem cuttings, which can be taken year-round. Using the seed is also a method of propagation. They all need extra good drainage. Stapeliads are shallow-rooted, and their collection can be planted nicely in a wide, shallow bowl. When planting, it is a good idea to bury the roots in soil and then place pure gravel or sand around the plant's base to prevent rot.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Stapeliads.
Links
- Back to genus Piaranthus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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