Synonyms:

Caralluma codonoides
Caralluma oxyodonta
Desmidorchis speciosa
Sarcocodon speciosus

Habitat:

Caralluma speciosa is native to East Africa, specifically in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It also originates from the Horn of Africa, which includes places like Somalia and Ethiopia. There’s a possibility it may also be found in Djibouti or Eritrea.
In its natural habitat, you can locate this plant in tropical regions characterized by dry, rocky savannas or semi-desert areas with sandy lowlands. This is where it thrives and naturally occurs.

Description:

This plant is a large clumping variety of Caralluma that can grow up to a meter in height. At the top, it produces clusters of many small brownish-black flowers, resembling those of Campanula Trachelium in both shape and size. The stem, which is light green and somewhat reminiscent of a Euphorbia, can range from 30 to 80 cm in height, occasionally reaching up to 120 cm. It features angular, raised ridges that gradually form continuous, bumpy edges. The leaves, appearing at intervals along the stem, are small and spiky.
During its blooming period, this plant boasts a perfectly symmetrical, spherical cluster of 30 to 40 small flowers, each approximately 4 cm in diameter. These emit an unpleasant odor reminiscent of rotten flesh, which serves to attract flies. The flowers consist of five petals, with central tubes ranging from yellow to orange. The corolla lobes are reddish-brown with small yellow markings. Near the tips, the petal edges are dark maroon or black and adorned with tiny hairs. The stems of the flowers are 4 to 6 mm long.
When it comes to the fruit, this plant produces follicles about 12 cm in length, which are smooth to the touch. The seeds are roughly 9 mm long and 7 mm wide, featuring broad margins and crowned with a tuft of hairs measuring nearly 30 mm in length.

Cultivation:

Growing Caralluma speciosa is generally straightforward. It thrives with regular watering, especially in the hottest days of summer. Be cautious not to overwater, as this can lead to rot. In winter, if your greenhouse experiences higher temperatures, a light watering from time to time is beneficial.
For winter care, it’s important to ensure that temperatures stay above 10°C. While this plant can endure brief periods of nighttime temperatures as low as 5°C or slightly lower, prolonged freezing conditions are detrimental.
In terms of sunlight, Caralluma speciosa does well in both full and partial sun. However, it benefits from strong light, provided it’s shielded from direct, harsh sun.
Ensuring good ventilation is key to its cultivation. This plant grows steadily and easily on its own roots, dispelling the misconception that it’s a challenging species to care for.

Propagation:

This species can be propagated both through seeds and cuttings.

Curiosity:

Belonging to the adenensis-speciosa group, which includes Caralluma speciosa, Caralluma adenensis, Caralluma somalica, Caralluma acutangula (also known as Caralluma retrospiciens), and Caralluma edithae, these plants share similar vegetative characteristics. In fact, when they are not in flower, it is quite challenging to distinguish between the different species.
As for the etymology of “Caralluma,” the name is derived from the Arabic words “qahr al-luhum,” which translates to “wound in the flesh” or “abscess,” likely referring to the foul odor emitted by some species in the genus. This odor is known to attract flies for pollination.

Official Web Site:
www.giromagi.com

Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com

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