Orbea variegata(L. ) Haw .

Carrion Cactus , Carrion Flower , Starfish Cactus , Star Flower , Starfish Plant , Toad Cactus , Toad Plant

Ceropegia mixta , Stapelia variegata , Stisseria variegata

Orbea variegata (Starfish Plant), also known as Stapelia variegata

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Family : ApocynaceaeSubfamily : AsclepiadoideaeTribe : CeropegieaeSubtribe : StapeliinaeGenus : Orbea

The specific name " variegata "   ( pronounced " var - ee - GAY - tuh " ) means " variegate ; having a pattern of different colors or marks " and refers to the wide variability of the flowers of this metal money .

Orbea variegatais aboriginal toSouth Africa(Cape Province ) .

Orbea variegata (Starfish Plant), also known as Stapelia variegata

Photo viawikimedia.org

Orbea variegata , formerly know asStapelia variegata , is a popular succulent with notched , four - angled stems usually densely packed into a mat that may reach a diameter of 3.3 feet ( 1 thousand ) . The stems are green and cloud with imperial - brown . They are decumbent and can grow up to 10 inches ( 25 cm ) long and 4 inches ( 1 centimeter ) in diameter , excluding tooth .

The flowers are highly variable in color but commonly bespeckle with empurpled - John Brown on a pale xanthous background . They are whiz - shaped , come along in late summer or fall , and have a faint carrion smell to attract potential louse pollinator . The flowers can strain up to 3.2 inches ( 8 cm ) in diameter . The paired source pods can grow up to 5 inches ( 12.5 cm ) long and face like two saddle horn .

Orbea variegatareceived the prestigiousAward of Garden Meritof the UK ’s Royal Horticultural Society .

Orbea variegata (Starfish Plant), also known as Stapelia variegata

Photo viawikimedia.org

USDA hardiness zones9a to 11b : from 20 ° farad ( -6.7 ° degree Celsius ) to 50 ° F ( 10 ° C ) .

Watersparingly , allowing the soil to dry out between waterings andfeedthe plant during the dynamic growing seasons . Keep almost teetotal in the winter , but water supply sparingly now and again to preclude wrinkling . As this flora do from a wintertime rain area , it should be given a respite menstruum with reduce tearing during the summertime months .

Soilshould be well - drain and plenteous in organic affair . Therefore , it favor a well - drain , sandy culture medium consisting of equal parts of rinse river sand , potting filth , and surface soil .

Orbea variegata (Starfish Plant), also known as Stapelia variegata

endeavor to emulate its natural habitat , place it to protect it from the sun during the hot part of the day . This plant prefers the early morning or former afternoon Lord’s Day . It requires protection when grown as an cosmetic works in temperate zone , as it does not tolerate freeze temperatures .

The key to winner is keeping Starfish Plants   and their roots spare of   plague   like   mealybugs . Fungal tone-beginning often occur due to insect damage to base .

Propagate by seed sown in former spring or cuttings of stem turn surgical incision after the flowering .

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