Huernia penzigii (Huernia macrocarpa) Stapelia Starfish Flower – Collection No. 24

Huernia penzigii is a distinctive collectable succulent producing richly coloured, star-shaped flowers. The blooms are deep burgundy to near-black, with a heavily textured surface, pointed lobes and a dark central cup.

This plant develops spreading clusters of angular, fleshy stems. Their colour can vary from green to bronze, purple or burgundy depending on light levels, temperature and growing conditions. The unusual flowers emerge close to the stems and have a mild carrion-like scent intended to attract pollinating insects.

This plant is commonly grown and sold as Huernia penzigii. Botanically, that name is now treated as a synonym of Huernia macrocarpa.

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 of Huernia penzigii growing in a 66 mm nursery pot. The photographs of the potted plant show the general size and presentation offered. Individual plants will vary naturally in stem number, shape and colour.

The flower photograph shows the mature bloom for identification and reference. Plants are not necessarily supplied in flower.

Key Characteristics

• Botanical name: Huernia macrocarpa, commonly sold as Huernia penzigii
• Collection number: 24
• Common group: Stapelia or Starfish Flower
• Flower colour: Deep burgundy to near-black
• Flower form: Five-pointed, densely textured bloom with a dark central cup
• Smell rating: Mild
• Growth habit: Branching, spreading and clump-forming
• Stem colour: Green to bronze, purple or burgundy depending on conditions
• Pot size: 66 mm

Care

• Light: Bright filtered light or gentle morning sun
• Water: Water thoroughly, then allow the growing mix to dry before watering again
• Winter: Keep considerably drier during cool weather
• Potting mix: Use a very free-draining succulent mix
• Temperature: Protect from frost and prolonged cold, wet conditions
• Feeding: Apply a diluted succulent fertiliser during active growth

Avoid leaving the plant continually wet, particularly during cold weather. Good drainage and airflow are important for preventing stem and root rot.