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- Orbea halipedicola
Orbea halipedicola
The plant likes a sunny location.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. In winter, reduce or even suspend watering.
The plant is not frost-resistant.
The flowers grow low to the ground and often touch it directly—this is a natural way to attract specific pollinators from the immediate vicinity.
Orbea halipedicola has an endemic distribution in the coastal region of Sofala Province near the Buzi River in central Mozambique. It occurs at elevations of approximately 20 to 200 meters above sea level, growing on almost bare ground close to the sea, often in the shade of shrubs.
This succulent is leafless and forms slender, fleshy stems ranging from light green to olive green in color. The stems are often spotted or striped with purplish to chestnut-brown tones, which become more pronounced in good light. They grow up to about 15 cm in length and around 0.5 cm in diameter, are four-angled and ribbed, with grooved sides and widely spaced, tapering tubercle teeth up to 1 cm long. The plant produces spreading to creeping stems that grow in clusters.
The flowers are approximately 4 cm in size and are often held close to the ground. The inner surface is purplish brown with yellow to white markings.
Orbea halipedicola grows well in sandy, well-draining soil. During winter it requires very little water, and the minimum temperature should be kept between 5 and 10 °C. As it flowers most abundantly in autumn, warmer conditions during this period are beneficial. If you are looking for a less common stapeliad with distinctive stems and interesting flowers, this species may be the right choice.