Although never found in the wild, there is still controversy surrounding the name of this plant. It is almost certainly a hybrid, probably resulting from a cross between Tromotriche revoluta and Orbea variegata or Stapelia hirsuta and Orbea namaquensis. However, it is first described and usually distributed as Stapelia mutabilis.
Scientific Name
Stapelia mutabilis Jacq.
Synonym(s)
Orbea ×mutabilis, Stapelia ×mutabilis, Stisseria ×mutabilis, Tromotriche ×mutabilis, ×Tromostapelia mutabilis
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Stapeliae
Genus: Stapelia
Etymology
The specific epithet "mutabilis (mew-TAB-ill-iss)" means "changeable, mutable, inconstant" and refers to the flowers that are variable in coloration and shape of the lobes.
Origin
×Tromostapelia mutabilis was raised from seed in the 18th century in the Imperial Gardens of Vienna, Austria.
Description
Stapelia mutabilis is a small succulent plant with fleshy stems with four angles lined with conical spreading teeth. The stems can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) long and 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) thick. They are green, sometimes tinged with purple, and slightly glaucous.
In the fall, Stapelia mutabilis produces beautiful star-shaped flowers near the base of the younger stems or higher up on the older ones. The flowers can reach up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter. The corolla is smooth on both surfaces and has vibratile purple hairs along the margins, nearly or quite to the tips of the lobes. The apical third of the corolla lobes are light or dark purple-brown, and the remainder is yellowish or greenish-yellow, covered with transversely elongated spots or irregular transverse purple-brown lines, becoming fainter on the annulus. The outer corona lobes are yellowish, speckled with purple-brown, and often have a broad central stripe of the same color, while the inner corona lobes are yellowish and thickly dotted with purple-brown.
How to Grow and Care for Stapelia mutabilis
Light: Stapelia mutabilis 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. Stapelia mutabilis 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: Stapelia mutabilis 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 from 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 Stapelia mutabilis
Stapelia mutabilis has no toxic effects reported. It is safe around pets and humans.
Links
- Back to genus Stapelia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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