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Orbea variegata

Previously known as:

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

Starfish Plant is a succulent plant with very large star-fish looking flowers in the dog bane family.  It is native to southern Africa.  Its other common name Carrion Flower comes from the fact that the flower has the odor of rotting meat.  The flowers attract flies as pollinators.  This drought tolerant plant  is often used as a houseplant in colder climates.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#large flowers#malodorous#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#large flowers#malodorous#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Orbea
    Species:
    variegata
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Succulent
  • Cultural Conditions:
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • 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:
    3" showy star-shaped flowers with five spotted maroon petals appear late summer to fall.
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • 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 red in full sun.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Malodorous