Stapelia leendertziae N.E.Br. 

🌱 Morphology

    If you bring your nose close to its beautiful flower, you will know why it has that common name... A perennial succulent plant, with a creeping growth habit and forming clumps that develop mounds up to about 50 cm in diameter. Its fleshy stems, approximately 8–20 cm long, are relatively slender, with a quadrangular cross-section and four slightly prominent angles. They have a finely pubescent surface, of a dull green color, which can acquire purple hues in areas exposed to the sun. The small tubers at the ends of the stems end in tiny foliar rudiments that soon disappear. This clone develops crests instead of the vertical growth of the original botanical species.

Its most distinctive feature is its large, bell-shaped flowers, dark maroon or reddish-purple in color, which can reach about 9–12 cm in diameter and up to 12 cm in length. Unlike the star-shaped and open flowers of other species in the genus, the corolla forms a deep cup, with five triangular lobes and a finely wrinkled inner surface covered with small hairs. It emits an odor that attracts carrion flies.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family

It is native to northeast South Africa and Eswatini, with populations in the South African provinces of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. It grows on rocky ground, slopes, and sandstone or dolomite outcrops, usually in shallow, well-drained soils. It can be found in the light shade of shrubs and trees, in subtropical environments with a dry season. Although it is widely grown in collections, it is relatively uncommon in the wild.

Family: Apocynaceae. Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae. Tribe: Ceropegieae.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 9b

It tolerates occasional low temperatures close to −3.9 °C under favorable conditions, although this value should not be interpreted as a safe cultivation threshold. It is more cold-tolerant than many other stapeliads and can withstand light frosts if the growing medium remains dry. In pots, it is recommended to protect it from prolonged frosts and cold accompanied by moisture, keeping it preferably above 5–10 °C during the winter.

☀️ Lighting

It grows well in intense light, both in moderate full sun and bright partial shade. In its habitat, it can grow partially protected by vegetation, so it is advisable to avoid sudden exposure to intense sun if the plant comes from a shaded cultivation. Good light promotes the formation of sturdy stems and flowering. As a general guideline, you can aim for a DLI PAR of 15–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹, adapting it to the temperature and the acclimatization of the specimen.

💧 Growth and watering cycle

Winter dormancy. Its growth is concentrated mainly during warm periods and may slow down in winter. During spring and summer, it is recommended to water thoroughly, allowing the water to drain freely and the growing medium to dry out completely before the next watering. In winter, water inputs should be reduced, especially if temperatures drop. Although it tolerates some drought, it is not advisable to keep it dehydrated for excessively long periods as the stems begin to wrinkle. Excess moisture at the base is one of the main causes of specimen loss.

🌸 Flowering

Flowering usually occurs from autumn to early southern summer, with a typical peak between November and January in its natural habitat. In cultivation, the dates may vary depending on the hemisphere and environmental conditions. The flowers appear near the base or on the lower half of the young stems, individually or in small successive groups. The corolla, globose and bell-shaped, has a smoother and shinier exterior, while the interior is dark maroon or purple, with transverse wrinkles and longer hairs towards the center. It gives off an odor reminiscent of decaying organic matter, which attracts pollinating flies.

🌿 Nutrition

During active growth, it is recommended to use Desert CHOICE® Succulents, following the product's dosage instructions. It is advisable to maintain moderate fertilization, avoiding excess nitrogen to promote balanced growth and a good stem structure. Fertilization should be reduced or suspended during winter dormancy. An aerated growing medium, with excellent drainage, is essential to prevent root rot and the decay of the base of the stems.

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

📏 Gourmet xerophyte in a 16x16 cm pot.

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the plant's measurements, but these may also vary slightly because it is a living thing! Each of the plants from Desert CITY has unique characteristics.