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Carrion Cactus Orbea variegata

Previously known as:

  • Ceropegia mixta
  • Stapelia variegata
  • Stisseria variegata
Phonetic Spelling
ORB-ee-uh var-ee-GAY-tuh
Description

Starfish plant is a succulent plant with very large starfish-looking flowers in the dogbane family.  It is native to southern Africa and commonly found along the coast of southwestern South Africa.  Its other common name Carrion Flower comes from the fact that the flower has the odor of rotting meat. This drought-tolerant plant  is often used as a houseplant in colder climates.

It was introduced into cultivation in Europe in 1639, after the Dutch had founded a settlement in Cape Town, by a Dutch missionary, Justus Heurnius.

The plant has soft stems that are erect or prostrate and will form large clumps as it matures. The scent of the flowers attracts flies and other insects for pollination. The stems are sprawling, grayish-green with vertical rows of toothy projections. In full sun, the stems become mottled with purple. The flowers are 2 to 2.5 inches across and have five pointed lobes that are starfish-like. The flower has a greenish-yellow background with a chocolate-purple pattern and brown blotches. It blooms in late summer or fall. When the plant is pollinated, it develops dark green mottled follicles that are 5 inches long. When the follicles mature, they dry and split open and release many small seeds that are dispersed by the wind.

The starfish plant is fast growing and matures to a height of 4 inches because of its reclining habit and spreads out up to 20 inches or more. It prefers light shade to full sun and is hardy in zones 9b to 11b. It does not require frequent watering and will store water in the stems for its dormant season. Sandy well-drained soil is also required. It is propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Quick ID Hints:

  • succulent matures to 4 inches tall and 20 inches wide
  • erect, prostrate, clump of soft stems
  • stems are sprawling, grayish-green with vertical rows of toothy projections
  • flowers have 5 pointed lobes that are starfish-like
  • flower has greenish background with a chocolate purple pattern
  • if pollinated, produces dark green mottled follicle that measure 5 inches long

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The starfish plant is generally resistant to most insect pests and diseases. Monitor for mealybugs and scales that are common succulent pests.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#fast growing#large flowers#malodorous#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#prostrate
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#fast growing#large flowers#malodorous#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#prostrate
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Orbea
    Species:
    variegata
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Africa--Cape Provinces
    Distribution:
    Queensland, South Australia, and Spain
    Play Value:
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    A pollinated flower develops a pair of erect, cylinder follicles that are dark green and mottled with pale green. They measure 5 inches long. Once mature, they are dry and split open to release many small seeds. The seeds have tufts of hairs that cause them to be easily dispersed by the wind.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    2 to 2.5 inch, showy, star-shaped flowers with five spotted maroon petals appear late summer to fall.
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The plant has no true leaves but has toothy projections from the stem that makes it appear spiny.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    4 angled erect fleshy gray-green stems. Turn purple in full sun.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Malodorous