Caralluma socotrana

Caralluma socotrana is one of the most unique species in the genus.  This is saying quite a lot for a genus of plants that has some of the most bizarre species in the plant world.  But one look at the flowers and most will agree.  The flowers are up to 1 3/4 " across, with the plant getting 12" wide and somewhat less than that in height. 

This plant is in the milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae) and specifically a group called 'stapeliads', that hail from Africa and the Arabian peninsula, with a few from India and Madagascar.  C. socotrana, is from the island of Socotra (just off of the northeast shoulder of Africa) and the desert regions of Kenya.

 

The flowers, being fly pollinated, smell bad.  Most in this group smell like rotting flesh or animal manure, with this one having that general description, but with an additional, somewhat metallic smell.  It is bad!  This is not a plant to bring to the dinner table, although it might work well at picnics to keep the flies at the other end of the table.  (Make sure that the plant is downwind of lunch!)  This plant has another interesting character related to smell; the stems smell when handled.  They don't smell at all like the flowers, but rather like the leaves of sacred Datura or Jimson weed. 

Caralluma socotrana is somewhat difficult to keep alive for very long as they are rot prone, particularly in winter.  (This is not a selling point, Gene.  Be sure to delete this before publishing!...The Boss)  

 
This is primarily a result of them being somewhat fast growing and short-lived by nature.  This cultural problem is somewhat exacerbated by lower winter light and uneven and/or too much water.  The goal with this plant is to grow it as fast as possible in the heat and full sun of summer (lots of water!) and hope for flowers the first or second season and then try to keep it alive during winter with lighter, but regular watering.  Pieces of this plant may root, somewhat reluctantly, so it is worth a try!  

This is one of my favorite species and was the second T-shirt that we commissioned from Tucson artist Margaret Pope.  (Go to 'Gift Shop')