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Orbea variegata (L.) Haw.
| Family Name: | Apocynaceae |
| Synonyms: | Stapelia variegata |
| Common Name: | Carrion Cactus, Toad Cactus, Starfish Cactus |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Succulent Plant |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Clump-forming succulent. |
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| Stems | Stems may be erect or lie horizontal against the ground. They are greyish green and become mottled with purple when grown under full sun. |
| Flowers | Fleshy, wrinkled flowers (about 5-7 cm wide) are heavily spotted with maroon to brown blotches on a yellowish background. They produce a carrion-like odour. |
| Fruit | Narrow, cylindrical pods up to 12 cm long produce numerous seeds. Seeds are attached to fluff that helps them become airborne and disperse farther from the mother plant. |
| Taxonomy | The specific epithet 'variegata' refers to the wide variability of this species in terms of size, flower colour/ structure, habit, stems, etc.. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, [Remarks] (It grows best in full sun to light shade, but tolerates some shade.) |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Little Water |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32563 |
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| Species ID | 6975 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |