Caralluma hesperidum
Synonyms:
Orbea decaisneana subs. hesperidum
Angolluma hesperidum
Caralluma commutata subs. hesperidum
Caralluma decaisneana subs. hesperidum
Pachycymbium decaisneanum subs. hesperidum
Habitat:
Caralluma hesperidum is a succulent endemic in moroccan dry regions, from the coast to the deep inland.
Description:
Caralluma hesperidum is a perennial succulent; it grows slender, cylindrical, curved stems up to 20 cm high with conical tubercles on them. The stem are whitish-green to grey-green and marbled in brownish-purple. From summer to autumn, C. hesperidum blooms in star-shaped, blackish-purple flowers.
Cultivation:
C. hesperidum is an easy-to-grow succulent. It has to be repotted every year: use a container with good drainage, adding porous, mildly alkaline, mineral cactus mix substratum. This plant needs regular watering, particularly during summer – when you can add a high potassium fertilizer. It grows at its best in half shade, but it can live in full sun (which will make it get a bronze colour, but be careful to high temperatures) to full shade exposure. During winter, C. hesperidum can resist 5°C for short periods, but it is better to avoid temperatures lower than 10°C.
Propagation:
To propagate C. hesperidum by seeds, sow them fresh. If you want to use cuttings, you will need to keep them dry in hot temperatures to make them root.
Curiosity:
Caralluma hesperidum is an ingredient for many magic-medicinal remedies of Senegalese tradition.
