Huernia macrocarpa (A.Rich.) Spreng. 

🌱 Morphology

   Stapeliad, it is... A succulent perennial of low growth and clumping habit, forming compact clumps by branching from the base. The stems are fleshy, with a quadrangular or pentagonal cross-section, with conical tubercles arranged in rows along the edges. Their coloration varies between green, grayish green, and reddish or purple shades when exposed to intense light. The flowers, with a star-shaped appearance, feature a fleshy corolla and an inner surface covered with small papillae. The species shows variability in floral size and coloration, and its elongated fruits explain the epithet macrocarpa, which alludes to its relatively large fruits.

Family: Apocynaceae · Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae · Tribe: Ceropegieae · Subtribe: Stapeliinae.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family

It is native to northeast Africa and the Arabian peninsula, with presence in regions of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Yemen, depending on the taxonomic treatment of the species. It grows in warm and dry environments, among rocks and in well-drained mineral soils, often partially protected by stones or low shrubs. Like other stapeliads, it is adapted to alternating periods of water availability with phases of drought. Its cultivation requires special attention to drainage and ventilation, as the combination of cold and persistent moisture can cause the rotting of the stems and roots.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 10b

It tolerates minimum temperatures close to 1.7 °C as a climatic reference for the USDA 10b zone, although this figure does not guarantee that the plant will survive that temperature. It is sensitive to frost and damp cold. It is recommended to protect it when nighttime temperatures drop below 8–10 °C and to keep the growing medium almost dry during cold periods.

☀️ Lighting

It needs abundant light to maintain compact growth and promote flowering. A very bright location is recommended, with soft morning sun or partial shade during the middle hours of the day. It can tolerate more sunny exposure if acclimated gradually, but intense summer sun can cause burns. As a guideline, it can be grown with a DLI PAR of approximately 12–20 mol/m²/day, adjusting it to the plant's response and ventilation conditions.

💧 Growth and watering cycle

Winter dormancy. Growth is concentrated mainly during warm periods. During the active phase, it is recommended to water thoroughly and let the growing medium dry completely before watering again. In winter, water input should be considerably reduced, especially if the plant remains in a cool environment. It is advisable to avoid both waterlogging and persistent moisture around the neck and roots.

🌸 Flowering

The flowers usually appear near the base of the stems and feature a fleshy corolla with five pointed lobes, with shades that can vary between cream yellow, reddish brown, purple, or maroon, depending on the form and the specimen. The inner surface may show papillae or small bumps that give it a characteristic texture. Flowering usually occurs during the warm months, although the exact timing depends on the origin of the material and the growing conditions. As with other Huernia species, the flowers can release an intense scent that attracts pollinating flies.

🌿 Nutrition

Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, applied moderately during active growth and following the product's dosage instructions. Balanced nutrition promotes the formation of new stems and root development without stimulating excessively soft growth. During winter dormancy, it is recommended to reduce or suspend fertilization.

Gourmet black 9x9 cm pot

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the growing medium activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.