A thank you to sandy130 @ UBC Botanical Garden Forums from Abbotsford, BC for sharing today’s image of the (inaptly-named) toad cactus or star cactus (it’s not a cactus!). A better common name in use is African carrion flower. Check out the discussion thread to see a second photograph and the ensuing discussion. Much appreciated, sandy130!
Formerly placed in the genus Stapelia (an example), Orbea was resegregated as its own genus by Leach in this paper: Leach, LC. 1978. A contribution towards a new classification of Stapelieae (Asclepiadaceae) with a preliminary review of Orbea Haw., and descriptions of three new genera. Excelsa Taxonomic Series, No. 1. Aloe, Cactus and Succulent Society, Rhodesia.
Stoffel Petrus Bester of the South Africa National Herbarium has written an excellent summary of the genus Orbea, so I’ll kindly ask you visit that site for more information about Orbea variegata and its relatives.
I’ll also add that this species is an exotic invasive in South Australia. See: Dunbar, KR and Facelli, JM. 1999. The impact of a novel invasive species, Orbea variegata (African carrion flower), on the chenopod shrublands of South Australia. Journal of Arid Environments. 41(1): 37-48.
Photography resource link: for inspiration, the alpine photography of Jack Brauer. Locales photographed include Turkey and Patagonia.
Orbea variegata – Z9 – RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths
Nice sharp close-up of this flower. Orbea, eh? Hmmm.
Got one of these flowers given to me here in
South Texas (USA) area. This person has a plant and was blooming. Very unusual I might say. Asked her to give me a cutting.
I have had one of these plants for four years and have been trying to find out exactly what it is. It has bloomed every year since I received it as a cutting. This fall a pod-like ‘bloom’ has replaced the flower. It looks like a bean pod, about 8 inches long and tapered. It has a seam running from top to bottom. Can anyone tell me what this is? A second ‘pod’ about 3 inches long has started as well, though at this time it looks quite different than the first.
Hi folks of interest I have collected this species as a slow spreading invasive in central New South Wales, Australia, originating from cultivated plants at a now abandoned quarry in semi-arid country, I assume it may naturalise in semi-arid to arid parts of North America too
I have this plant in my sun parlour in Edinburgh, I talk to this plant and it has responded with three more beautifual flowers.
Their exquisite design thrilled me. My friend has taken several pictures of them. Very pleased to know its history.
Elisabeth Fraser ()131 669 2860
Edinburgh Scotland.
9 am 31st October 2013