Desmidorchis speciosais an telling clump - forming succulent that is simply breathtaking in the capitulation when it produce expectant clusters at the tips of its stems . It was first delineate byNicholas Edward Brownin 1878 asSarcocodon speciosus .
Desmidorchis speciosa(N.E.Br . ) Plowes
Caralluma speciosa , Ceropegia codonoides , Sarcocodon speciosus

In habitat, Zeyise Eligo, Ethiopia. Derivative of a photo byOdile Weber. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Family : ApocynaceaeSubfamily : AsclepiadoideaeTribe : CeropegieaeSubtribe : StapeliinaeGenus : Desmidorchis
The specific name " speciosa(spee - see - Ohio - suh ) " think " showy , specious " and name to the showy flowers of this metal money .
Desmidorchis speciosais native to Northeast and East Tropical Africa ( Sudan , Ethiopia , Djibouti , Somalia , Kenya , Uganda , andTanzania ) . It grows in semi - arid and other parts of dry savanna areas .

In habitat, Zeyise Eligo, Ethiopia. Derivative of a photo byOdile Weber. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Desmidorchis speciosa , formerly known asCaralluma speciosa , is a lush plant that grows inclumpsof upright orascending , tetragonal stems . The stems range from olive - green to greyish - greenish and have rib that soon harden into a light browncalluswith short , toilsome tooth . They can grow up to 32 column inch ( 80 cm ) long and 1.4 inches ( 3.5 centimetre ) thick .
In the fall , Desmidorchis speciosaproduces attractive , large clusters of many flowers at the tip of the stems . The flower cluster can attain up to 4 inch ( 10 cm ) in diameter , while the bell - shaped flush can valuate up to 1.2 column inch ( 3 cm ) in duration and 1.3 inch ( 3.2 cm ) in diameter . Thecorollais yellow in spite of appearance , with triangular , ascension , or spreading , purplish - blacklobesadorned with numerous various , club - shaped hairs along the margins . Thecoronais jaundiced with out lobes , each with two thin , erect horns . The fruits are smoothfolliclesthat can grow up to 4.8 inches ( 12 cm ) long and contain broad , brown seeds with a tussock of tomentum .
visible light : Desmidorchis speciosaprefers full Lord’s Day but benefits from clear shade on the hottest summer days . Indoors , range the plant life near the brightest window in your home , as it will stretch if it does n’t pick up enough sunlight . keep off abruptly moving a works adapted to lower light levels to full sun to prevent sunburn .

In habitat, Tsavo West National Park, Kenya. Photo byDerik Nieuwoudt. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Soil : expend a commercial potting dirt premix contrive for succulents or prepare your own with 50 % to 70 % mineral moxie , such as coarse sand , pumice stone , or perlite .
Temperature : The plant expand in tender outside environments with low to restrained humidity . It does not care winter cold and should remain fairly ironic and warm during its quiescency . Desmidorchis speciosagrows best inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones11a to 11b , with average minimum winter temperature ranging from 40 to 50 ° F ( 4.4 to 10 ° C ) .
lacrimation : It has typical lacrimation pauperization for a succulent . During the get season , from spring to settle , water the plant thoroughly and provide the territory to dry out between waterings . When it goes dormant in winter , it need almost no water , about once a calendar month .

In cultivation, Singapore. Photo by June Kan. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
fertilise : To keep the flora healthy and booming , fertilizing is a good idea . tip it with weewee - soluble fertilizer dilute to half the recommend strength , but only when the plant is actively grow .
Repotting : RepotDesmidorchis speciosain fountain , just before the growing season . It has shallow root and does n’t require a lot of soil to grow . Always nibble a container with drainage holes .
Propagation : The best way to propagate this succulent is by using stem cuttings . To ensure good rooting , take slip during the growing season . The plant life is also easy to start from seeds in spring .
Learn more atHow to Grow and worry for Stapeliads .
Desmidorchis speciosahas no reported toxic effects , so it is good to turn around Thomas Kyd and pets .
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