Orbea variegata

O. variegata is a stem succulent that branches many stems from its base, forming a clump. The erect stems are decumbent in their lowest parts, becoming from 5 cm to 15 cm tall. The four-angled stems are square in cross-section. The teeth on the four stem ridges are conical, pointing outwards and angled up. Each tooth in turn has two minute secondary, lateral teeth near its tip. The plant is hairless in all parts, the stem colour green, sometimes with purple mottling mainly at the stem tips.

Long ago, when Orbea variegata was still called Stapelia variegata, more than twenty varieties of S. variegata were listed; some reckon that to be a modest understatement. Nowadays this plant lives lighter or less complicated in its botanical identity with no varieties recognised. But don’t expect all its flowers to appear the same. The hullabaloo about its private parts does not enter into its natural existence.

One to five flowers are produced, emerging from near a stem base; the flowers opening in succession. The corolla has an annulus, a bulging ring in the centre around the corona, while outside the ring five nearly triangular, ovate and pointed lobes give the flower a star-like appearance.

These corolla lobes spread or are slightly recurved, their margins finely ciliate. The ring of the annulus is not quite circular, some flattening of sections of its perimeter corresponds to the bases of the five corolla lobes. The lobe surfaces are rough with transversal ridges, the annulus covered in small granule-like tubercles.

The flower colour is pale yellow to creamy or slightly greenish with scattered purple-brown spots and line markings, quite variable upon different flowers.

The outer corona (inside the annulus) has ascending-spreading lobes, linear to oblong in shape and three-toothed at the tips; its colouring yellow and purple-brown. The pale yellow inner corona lobes (inside the outer corona) are two-horned, also with purple spots.

The specific name variegata is derived from the Latin variegatus meaning to make or be different colours, to variegate; this is appropriate to a plant so rich in variation.

O. variegata occurs widespread from the west coast of the Western Cape and Table Mountain to the west of the Eastern Cape. 

The species grows among scrub and fynbos on shale, granite and in sandy soils. The habitat population is considered of least concern early in the twenty first century (Smith, et al, 2017; Smith, et al, 1997; White and Sloane, 1937; www.cactus-art.biz; http://redlist.sanbi.org).