Scientific Name
Whitesloanea crassa (N. E. Br.) Chiov.
Synonyms
Caralluma crassa (basionym), Drakebrockmania crassa
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Stapeliae
Genus: Whitesloanea
Description
Whitesloanea crassa is a small, unusual, succulent plant up to up to 5 inches (13 cm), with mostly solitary, compact, 4-angled stem. Inflorescences are produced in vertical rows along the ribs near the base of stem at ground level, often along every angle, from a short deciduous fleshy peduncle. The flowers are bell-shaped to deeply funnel-shaped, showy, cream to light yellow, dotted with dark red-brown, up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) long and up to 1.2 inch (3 cm) in diameter.
Photo via flickriver.com
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Stapeliads are relatively easy to grow. They should be treated as an outdoor plant as they will easily rot indoors and cannot flower without exposure to outdoor temperature fluctuations. They should be grown under cover so that watering can be controlled. They require a reasonable amount of sunlight to promote flowering and maintain a well shaped plant. Very shady positions will produce very poor flowering. Stapeliads come from climates where they survive extremely high temperatures in the summer months so most growth is in spring and autumn, with flowering in autumn when the weather starts to cool down. In growing season, water in moderation when needed, making sure soil is fairly dried out between waterings. Do not water between November 1 and March 1.
The easiest and best way to propagate Stapeliads is from stem cuttings which can be taken virtually throughout the year. Seed is also a method of propagation… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Stapeliads
Origin
Native to northern Somalia.
Links
- Back to genus Whitesloanea
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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