Orbea Halipedicola

Description

Orbea halipedicola is a leafless, stem-succulent originating from Mozambique that's closely related to stapelias and commonly found in a genus informally referred to as carrion flowers. Instead of leaves it has thick, four-sided stems covered with fine, conical teeth along each edge, which are most commonly a pale gray-green to olive in colour that turn a richer streaky and mottled purplish-brown with intense light. Stems tend to spread and form low, spreading cushions, rather than growing upward, giving the plant a unique profile to most rosettes or erect succulents.

Orbea halipedicola is ideal for succulent enthusiasts and collectors interested in rare or uncommon plants rather than an ordinary ornament for the home, largely due to the flowers. During summer and autumn, it bursts forth with diminutive star-shaped blossoms, lying low against the stem, in hues of purple-brown and a yellow to white marking. These blooms, being pollinated by flies in the wild, possess a slightly to quite noxious odour; thus, position it in a place accordingly. Outside of flowering, it is a small textural plant, readily slipped into a sunny sill, succulent table, or mixed arrangement with other stapeliad varieties.

A lovely plant to add to an existing succulent or stapeliad collection, or a great starter plant for those of you looking for a plant that blooms carrion flowers! Orbea halipedicola doesn't need much care, just bright light and controlled watering to maintain strong, healthy stems.

Key features

• Leafless, four-angled fleshy stems with a distinctive toothed edge
• Stems that develop a brown streaking with the right amount of light
• Clump-forming, spreading growth habit rather than upright rosettes
• Low watering needs due to water storage in the fleshy stems
• Fairly steady growth rate for a stapeliad succulent
• Uncommon star-shaped, patterned flowers blooming in summer and fall
• Interesting choice for succulent collectors and stapeliad enthusiasts
• Compact size suits small pots, shelves, and mixed succulent displays

Care at a glance

Product specifications

What's in the box

• 1 × Live Orbea halipedicola plant
• 1 × Pot (Bare-rooted / Pot: Optional)
• Potting mix
• Care guide

Important notes

• Natural variation in size, stem colour, and clump shape is normal since this is a live plant, not a manufactured product.
• Flowers, when they appear, carry an unpleasant carrion-like scent typical of this plant group; this is a natural pollination trait, not a defect.
• Some minor stem bruising can happen during transit; firm up the plant in a bright spot and reduce watering for the first week or two after arrival.
• If possible do not put plant in strong hot afternoon light directly after getting them; ease them into brighter light gradually.
• Keep the plant away from areas with waterlogging or standing water, as the fleshy stems are sensitive to excess moisture and can rot.
• Handle the stems gently while unpacking and repotting, since they can bruise or snap if bent too far.

Frequently asked questions

Q: My Orbea halipedicola blooms smell like crap, why?

A: That’s perfectly normal for this plant, nothing to worry about at all! It's one of many of the "carrion" flowers to call the succulent family. They rely on the unpleasant smell of rotting flesh to attract flies that will pollinate them in nature. Usually you only notice this if you put your nose right up to an open flower – it won’t smell up a whole room, but just good to be aware if you want it in a place that you spend a lot of time near.

Q: How much do I water this plant? 

A: Only water after the soil is dry all the way through. This often ends up being about every 10-14 days indoors and even less often when it's cooler out. However, since your pot, soil and climate affect how fast it will dry out, finger checking is more reliable than using a calendar.

Q: Will it grow indoors?

A: Yes, it needs a sunny location, but not one that gets brutal full sun throughout the entire day. A windowsill with morning or filtered light works. And if it's not bright enough, then the stalks will be solid green and will not even get that familiar brown-purple coloration.

Q: Why are the stems turning purple or brown?

A: That’s the colour change of good light and should be seen as a sign of a happy plant. Plants grown in less light often take on a drabber grey-green. 

Q: Is it a fast-growing succulent?

A: For a stapeliad, it’s a fairly well-behaved one, developing a more or less circular spreading clump of stems over time. It’s not a fast grower in the general succulent sense, though. 

Q: Do I need to feed it frequently?

A: No. Once every four or six weeks in summer with half-strength liquid fertiliser is sufficient and doesn't feed at all during the winter dormancy.