Huernia hystrix Stapelia Starfish Flower – Collection No. 15

Huernia hystrix, commonly called the Porcupine Huernia, is a compact, clump-forming stapeliad with angular green stems that can develop attractive purple and pink tones under strong light.

Its unusual star-shaped flowers are patterned in cream and deep reddish-brown. The surface and margins are covered with prominent pointed growths, giving the flower its characteristic spiny appearance.

Plant Supplied

You will receive an established plant of Huernia hystrix growing in a 66 mm pot. The plant photographs show the current stock. The flower photograph shows the mature bloom for identification and reference. Plants are not necessarily supplied in flower.

Important Shipping Information

These plants are extremely brittle. Please purchase expecting the plant to move, come out of its pot or have some stems detach during transport.

Although your plant will be dispatched in a pot, it should be treated as effectively bare-rooted during delivery. Huernia and related stapeliads have fleshy stems and relatively shallow root systems. Disturbed potting mix, a loose plant or detached stems can occur despite careful packing.

Please be prepared to reposition or repot the main plant and to pot any healthy stems that detach. Allow detached stems to dry and seal before placing them into a dry, free-draining succulent mix. Do not immediately water freshly detached stems.

This is a normal characteristic of these plants and does not generally affect their health. However, if your plant arrives crushed, soft, blackened or with extensive damage, please photograph it immediately and contact us.

Care

• Light: Bright filtered light or gentle morning sun. Protect from intense afternoon sun.
• Water: Water when the mix has dried during active growth. Keep drier during winter and cold weather.
• Temperature: Warm-growing. Protect from frost and prolonged cold, wet conditions.
• Media: Use a gritty, very free-draining succulent mix.
• Fertiliser: Apply a diluted, low-nitrogen fertiliser during active growth.

Key Characteristics

• Botanical name: Huernia hystrix
• Common name: Porcupine Huernia
• Collection number: 15
• Common group: Stapelia or Starfish Flower
• Flower colour: Cream with deep reddish-brown patterning
• Flower form: Five-pointed star with prominent pointed papillae
• Smell rating: Mild
• Growth habit: Compact, upright and clump-forming
• Stem colour: Green with pink to purple tones under strong light
• Pot size: 66 mm