Huernia oculata Stapelia Starfish Flower – Collection No. 23

Huernia oculata is a distinctive clumping Stapelia relative with cream-coloured, star-shaped flowers covered in dark red spotting. The pale outer flower surrounds a deep burgundy to almost black central eye, giving this species its characteristic appearance.

This is Collection No. 23 in our Starfish Flower range. We use “Stapelia” as a simple name for the wider group, which also includes closely related genera such as Huernia, Orbea, Piaranthus and Stapelianthus.

The Flower

The flower forms a broad, shallow cup with five main lobes and smaller points between them, creating a sharply defined star shape. Its cream to pale yellow surface is irregularly spotted with red, becoming increasingly dark toward the centre.

The deep central eye is the defining feature of this species and is reflected in the name oculata. Flowers are generally produced around the lower portions of the stems during active growth.

Flower size, shape, spotting and colour intensity may vary slightly between individual blooms and under different growing conditions.

Smell Rating

Mild

The flowers may produce a mild carrion-like scent that is generally only noticeable at close range. Scent strength can vary with temperature, flower age and growing conditions.

Growth Habit

This species produces narrow, angular stems with prominent soft teeth along their edges. The stems may colour from green through bronze and reddish-purple when grown in strong light or under seasonal stress.

New growth develops around the base and gradually forms an upright to spreading clump.

Care

• Light: Bright filtered light or gentle morning sun. Protect from harsh afternoon sun, particularly during summer.
• Water: Water thoroughly during active growth, then allow the potting mix to dry before watering again.
• Winter: Keep considerably drier during cold weather. Cold, wet conditions can quickly cause stem and root rot.
• Potting mix: Use a very free-draining succulent mix with additional mineral material such as pumice, perlite or coarse grit.
• Temperature: Protect from frost and prolonged cold, wet conditions.
• Feeding: Apply a diluted, balanced fertiliser occasionally during active growth.

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. Stapelia and related plants have fleshy stems that separate very easily, so disturbed potting mix, a loose plant or some broken 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.

Plant Supplied

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

Each plant is naturally different. Stem number, height, shape and colouring will vary from the representative plants shown. Red or purple stem colouring can develop under bright light and is not necessarily a sign of poor health.

Key Characteristics

• Botanical name: Huernia oculata
• Collection number: 23
• Common group: Stapelia or Starfish Flower
• Flower colour: Cream with red spotting and a dark central eye
• Smell rating: Mild
• Growth habit: Upright to spreading and clumping
• Pot size: 66 mm
• Position: Bright filtered light or gentle morning sun
• Water needs: Low to moderate, with reduced winter watering