Starfish Cactus Orbea variegata

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.