PLANT FORUM: September 2025 Meeting
- k-england
- Sep 30, 2025
- 19 min read
Updated: Oct 2, 2025
Compiled by Susi Torre-Bueno, for Let's Talk Plants! October 2025.
For over two decades a meeting highlight was the Plant Forum, where a horticultural expert spoke about plants brought in by members. These descriptions were printed in the newsletter and were also compiled, and are available free on our website at https://sdhort.org/PlantForum.
This is an alphabetical listing of over 7500 plants, including over 1600 detailed descriptions.
Check it out when thinking about plants to add to your garden, and feel free to share this link with your friends.
After a few years on hiatus the Plant Forum returned with our May, 2025 meeting, and we encourage all members to share some of your plants at the meetings you attend. I can guarantee that there will be many people who will have not grown, and might not have ever seen, the plants from your garden.
All you have to do is:
1) Bring a cutting or a potted plant to a meeting.
2) BEFORE you leave home, take a minute to fill out a slip of paper with the common and scientific name of the plant, where it is native to (if you know that), what city it is growing in, your name, and a couple of sentences about your experience with the plant.
Although I’m no expert I will do my best to talk about the plants I’m familiar with, and will get help from other attendees. At the end of the meeting, we will gather up the printed information and include it in the next newsletter. If you have any questions, contact Susi Torre-Bueno at storrebueno@cox.net.
I want to thank the members who bring in plants for the Plant Forum and then donate them for other members to take home. At the September meeting Karen England went above and beyond by baking fig newtons from her figs for all of us to enjoy.
Crassula ovata 'Gollum' GOLLUM JADE PLANT
(Crassulaceae) Cultivar (So. Africa)
From a cutting planted in 2012, by 2025 my plant is 2-1/2’ tall and wide, growing in a large pot in mostly shade with minimal weekly watering. The leaves on this cultivar are usually tubular, which adds textural interest in the garden. There are hundreds of crassulas that can be grown here in our mild climate, and most of these are carefree and, as is the specimen displayed, foolproof-easy to propagate. Just cut off a section and stick it in the soil – done! In my Vista garden they grow well in full sun to nearly full shade, all with almost no attention from me. They do have small white or pink flowers, but those, while charming, are definitely not the reason to grow this stalwart plant. From the excellent website for San Marcos Growers: “A small shrubby succulent to 2 to 3 feet tall by 1 to 2 feet wide with interesting tubular leaves that have a reddish tint. As with Jade plant this cultivar has pinkish white star-like flowers, that often appear in late fall and early winter. Plant in full sun to bright shade in a well-drained soil. Cold hardy to 20-25° F and useful as an outdoor ornamental in USDA Zones 9-10 and a great house plant or winter protected specimen potted plant elsewhere. This is a similar cultivar to the earlier Jade cultivar 'Hobbit' that has leaves are curled back around while the cultivar 'Gollum' has leaves that are nearly tubular and appear to be tipped with a suction cup reminiscent of the J.R.R. Tolkein character by the same name. Both 'Gollum' and 'Hobbit', which are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Tolkien Group", are interesting plants with trunks that become thick with age and develop interesting stem patterns. Great for container culture and Bonsai cultivation.” https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2716
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 925) – S.T-B.
Cryptostegia grandiflora RUBBER VINE
(Apocynaceae) Madagascar
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum) – description by Tom Piergrossi: “A tropical vine with soft leathery leaves and large bell-shaped flowers with an overall lavender cast in the summer. In the same family as Stephanotis and milkweeds. Very tropical, goes completely dormant in the winter, loves heat. There are probably better vines for San Diego, like Distictis, but this one does have its charms. The flower color and foliage marry well. It would do well in a well-established garden with micro-climates, nicely used draping over a dead stump or supported by a non-flowering tree to give it interest. It does contain a poisonous white sap which can be used as rubber substitute.” Wikipedia notes that it is a significant weed in northern Australia (and elsewhere), so use it with caution in your garden and don’t let it escape by removing the woody seed pods before the wind-borne seeds can escape. The plant can grow to about 6-7’ tall, or very much larger with support.
(Donna Mallen, Chula Vista, 9/25) —T.P. & S.T-B.
Dichondra argentea ‘Silver Falls’ SILVER FALLS DICHONDRA
(Convolvulaceae) Texas, Mexico
A trailing perennial with silvery fan-shaped leaves that can cascade over the edges of containers. It is native to the desert regions of the N.W. U.S. and N. Mexico. Grows in full sun to partial shade to about 2-6” tall and can reach 18-26” wide. It is heat and drought tolerant and can go fully dormant and disappear in the winter. From the San Marcos Growers website: “Dichondra argentea (Silver Dichondra) - From Texas and the Mexican states of Durango and Michoacan comes this attractive groundcover with round leaves that are silky and silvery on both sides. Plants grow to only a couple inches tall and spread by adventitious runners to form a solid cover from spring through late fall but is semi to fully deciduous in winter. Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally. This Dichondra cascades well, so it makes a great companion plant for the edges of a pot, or planted so that it can hang down a wall. This seems to be the same as the plant that is sold as 'Silver Falls'. A common name Kidneyweed is probably in reference to noted herbal uses of the plant in Mexico.”
(Sue Mansour, Rancho Bernardo, 9/25) – S.M. & S.T-B.
Epilobium ‘El Tigre’ EL TIGRE CALIFORNIA FUCHSIA
(Onagraceae) Horticultural Selection
Pat Pawlowski notes that this easily-grown perennial plant is evergreen in full sun in her garden in Vista. From California Native Plant Society (www.calscape.org): “Tolerates almost
any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden; Santa Cruz Island-El Tigre peak; Introduced by Suncrest Nursery.” This exceptionally useful website also gives the following information about this California native plant: It grows quickly to 1-3’ tall and to 3’ wide, with an upright form. The flowers can be red or orange and appear in winter, summer and fall. Can be grown in full or part sun in containers or as a groundcover, and needs moderate to low water. Best of all, it tolerates a wide variety of soils. The Theodore Payne Foundation website notes that it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. They also say it grows 6” – 1’ tall, so there is a difference of opinion on the size of this plant between these two reputable sources on California native plants.
(Pat Pawlowski, Vista, 9/25) – P.P. & S.T-B.
Ficus carica COMMON FIG
(Moraceae) Mediterranean to Central Asia
Fig – Ficus carica, Mediterranean to Central Asia
Many years ago, my neighbor gave me three little cuttings of her delicious fig tree, Ficus carica, and I put them in a pot to see if I could grow them. Two of the cuttings died but one took off and fifteen years later I have a fantastic fig tree planted along my front fence line. Homegrown Fig Newtons anyone? Here's a recipe found on the internet Homemade Fresh Fig Newton Recipe. And my version of the recipe is the bonus at the end of this description.
Did you know dried fig leaves are a food? Used for centuries as a holistic medicine, with their slight coconut flavor, these fig leaves have more than medicinal value.
· Fig leaves are well and truly edible.
· Fig leaves add a lovely coconut, walnut, and vanilla flavor to food.
· Don’t bother with the really old ones – way too fibrous and bland.
· Fig leaves are a good source of vitamin A, B1, and B2. They also contain calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, sodium, and potassium.
· There are many health benefits from consuming fig leaves and drinking fig leaf tea: anti-diabetic, lower triglycerides, for bronchitis to name a few
· Take care with the sap when harvesting, it can irritate.
· The first record of fig leaves being used as a food wrap is in 3rd century BCE. Fig trees are thought to have originated in the middle east and first cultivated in Egypt. They flourish areas with a mediterranean climates – hot dry summers and mild winters. They are, however, found everywhere except Antarctica.
Source: 5 Ways To Use Fig Leaves - Our Permaculture Life https://ourpermaculturelife.com/do-you-eat-your-fig-leaves-heres-5-ways-to-prepare-them/
Fresh Figs, and Bugs? Smithsonian magazine says ...
... “Fig trees only bear fruit thanks to something called a fig wasp. The wasps are born inside the figs, and when the females hatch, they crawl out to find a new fig in which they can lay their own eggs. During this journey, they pick up pollen from the fig's male flowers and carry this into their new fig-nest, pollinating the seeds inside. But it's a one-way trip; the females die after laying their eggs. And the males who hatch inside the fig are stuck there too—after mating with the young females and chivalrously chewing exit holes for them, they're too tuckered out to leave (and they don't have wings, anyway). So yes, there are definitely dead bugs in figs. But the fig essentially digests the dead wasps as it ripens—ashes to ashes, dust to dust, fig to fig, you get the idea—so don't worry, that crunchy texture in the center of a fig really IS just its seeds. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/fresh-figs-and-bugs-66202233/
Karen England, Vista, CA
BONUS: Homemade Fresh Fig Newton Recipe
A classic cookie, this Fig Newton Recipe can be made at home with some fun and easily available ingredients bringing back nostalgia from your childhood.
Prep Time: 35 minutes Cook Time: 42 minutes Chill Time: 2hours Total Time: 3.5 hours
Servings: 24 Author: Dana DeVolk available online: https://thissillygirlskitchen.com/wprm_print/homemade-fresh-fig-newton-recipe
Ingredients
Filling:
· 12 fresh figs; washed dried, and quartered
· ½ cup light brown sugar packed
· 1 tablespoon lemon zest
· 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeezed
· 1 tablespoon water
Cookie Dough:
· 2 cups all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· ¼ teaspoon baking soda
· ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
· ½ cup unsalted butter softened
· ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
· 1 egg
· 2 tablespoons milk
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· Note: Karen adds 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon to this recipe
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
2. In another bowl, beat the butter with the brown sugar.
3. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla. Continue mixing until you obtain a smooth texture.
4. Add the flour mixture, stirring until smooth paste forms.
5. Wrap the dough ball in plastic and leave it to cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
6. During that time, prepare the filling. In a small or medium saucepan, add the figs, brown sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and water.
7. Bring to a boil; once it’s boiling, reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
8. After 30 minutes, you are going to obtain a jam. I love to have little pieces of figs in it, but if you want a smooth texture, place it in the food processor and mix until it’s combined.
9. When taking the dough out of the fridge, preheat the oven to 350°F.
10. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle 16 in. x 12 in and about 1/4 in thick.
11. Cut the rectangle into three strips.
12. In the center of each strip of dough, spread a thin layer of filling.
13. Fold both sides of the strip of dough over the filling, making a cylinder. Turn the cylinder seam side down, then flatten slightly with your hands.
14. Cook in the oven for 12 minutes, let it cool at room temperature for 5 minutes.
15. Cut each strip of dough into 8 squares.
16. Enjoy!
Notes:
1. Easily double this recipe to make more.
2. Fresh figs are best, but you can use dried.
3. If you want your filling to be smoother, place in a food processor or use an immersion blender until you reach your desired consistency.
4. Make sure you chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
5. These can be frozen, see my tips above.
(Karen England, Vista, 9/25) – K.E.
Haworthiopsis attenuate (formerly Haworthia attenuata) ZEBRA HAWORTHIA
(Asphodelaceae) So. Africa
This succulent plant has tiny wedge-shaped leaves and forms a tight rosette about 4-6” tall and 5” wide. This species resembles a mini aloe banded with raised white ridges. The leaves curve up toward the stem. It branches at the base and is easy to remove for sharing. Grow in well-drained soil in pots or in gardens, especially tight spots, in partly sunny locations (a few hours of direct sun is okay). Protect it from intense heat and temperatures below 30 degrees. Bright light will bring out some reddish hues. Easily divided and replanted. Over time it will spread into clumps up to 2’ wide. Makes a nice houseplant.
From Penn State Extension: “By studying the genus's genetics, in 2013, Haworthia was split, and Haworthiopsis was created. Opsis is Greek for "likeness." Thus, Haworthiopsis has a likeness to Haworthia. One physical difference is that Haworthia leaves have smooth leaves and a thin, translucent epidermis akin to aloe leaves. Haworthiopsis species have thick, rough leaves.”
(Cathy Tylka, Escondido, 9/25) – C.T.
[We have been very fortunate for over 20 years in having Rachel Cobb preparing the monthly newsletter and working on our website, and she was visiting San Diego from her New Jersey home at the September 2025 meeting, where she had a specimen on the Plant Forum table. She is also an SDHS board member and is in charge of our publicity. Rachel visits several times a year to take photographs for other local clients, including the San Diego Floral Association and San Diego Botanic Gardens. To see her portfolio, visit http://rachelcobbphotography.com. The potted plant she displayed at this meeting was one she had purchased just that morning at the Master Gardener’s annual plant sale.]
From worldofsucculents.com: “Haworthiopsis fasciata, formerly known as Haworthia fasciata, is a small succulent that forms rosettes of green, triangular leaves lined with white tubercles on the undersides. It offsets readily, forming a dense clump with age. The rosettes can reach up to 7.2 inches in height and 6 inches in diameter. The white, tubular flowers appear in summer at the end of slender stalks that can grow up to 1 foot (30 cm) long. Haworthiopsis fasciata is very similar to and often confused with Haworthiopsis attenuata, but they can be distinguished by the presence of the tubercles. H. fasciata has tubercles only on the undersides, while H. attenuata has tubercles on both the upper and lower surfaces of leaves.”
(Rachel Cobb, New Jersey, 9/25) – S.T-B.
Justicia brandegeeana SHRIMP PLANT
(Acanthaceae) Mexico
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum) – description by Steve Brigham: “This is a 3-foot evergreen shrub for part shade that is grown for its interesting flower spikes which feature coppery orange bracts and look somewhat like large shrimp. Blooming throughout the year, it likes regular watering and feeding, plus some protection from frost to look its best. A large-flowered form called 'Jambalaya' was introduced by the Huntington Botanical Gardens and is quite superior – there is also a beautiful chartreuse-yellow-flowered form that is grown as either 'Chartreuse' or 'Yellow Queen'. All make good container plants as well.” Wikipedia also notes that “As the plant receives more sun, the amount of creamy white on the speckled leaves will increase, and vice versa. The flowers emerge from bracts that form off the stems. The bracts start out white, but with more sun exposure they turn anywhere from pale pink to deep salmon. A chain of bracts will continue to grow until it falls off in most cases; thus the chains can grow anywhere from a few centimetres to nearly 30 cm (1 ft) in length. Flowers emerge from the bracts; usually they are long, thin, and white with speckled maroon throats. Blooming continues for months once it has begun, then halts for a short period before starting again. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Pollination is usually by hummingbirds.”
(Donna Mallen, Chula Vista, 9/25) —S.B
Oxypetalum coeruleum, syn. Tweedia caerulea TWEEDIA
(Asclepiadaceae) Brazil, Uruguay
From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum) - Description by Tom Piergrossi and Sandy Yayanos: “An asclepiad that’s a semi-climbing subshrub with a lax habit from scrub and rocky areas. It grows to about 3 feet tall, with softly hairy gray-green leaves to 4 inches long. Has 1-inch-wide powder blue star shaped flowers in summer to early fall, a very striking color in the border. Propagate by cuttings in summer or easy to grow from seed, and forms pleasantly fuzzy 2–3-inch-long seedpods. Its place in the Milkweed family is evident by the white sap and the silky hairs attached to the seeds. Full sun at the coast, part shade inland, it prefers good soil and is marginally frost hardy.”
Susi Torre-Bueno writes: “In my garden this thrives in full sun with a lot of neglect and very little water. It self-seeds very gently, and because the light blue color of the flowers is so attractive I’m always happy to see it pop up. I dig up the volunteer seedlings and transplant them elsewhere in the garden.”
More information about this plant is at: https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?cat_id=8&plant_id=1573&page=23.
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 9/25) —S.Y., T.P.
Platycerium sp. STAGHORN FERN
(Polypodiaceae) Australia, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Indonesia
Ray Brooks very generously donated for the door prize raffle the mounted specimen of a staghorn fern he brought to the meeting.
This tropical-looking plant is found in many parts of the world and there are 18 species in the genus. Plants are commonly sold mounted on wooden slabs and need to be grown in shade and not allowed to dry out.
Some species can get quite large – up to several feet across – and heavy, so when mounting them you need to take this growth into consideration.
From Wikipedia: “This genus is epiphytic and is native to tropical and temperate areas of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Guinea. Platycerium sporophytes (adult plants) have tufted roots, growing from a short rhizome, and bear two types of fronds - basal and fertile fronds. Basal fronds are sterile, shield- or kidney-shaped, and laminate against the tree, to protect the fern's roots from damage and desiccation. In some Platycerium species, the top margin of these fronds will grow into an open crown of lobes; catching rainwater, falling forest litter, bird/animal droppings, and even an occasional fallen deceased animal, these plants build up their own "compost" system of nutrition over many years.”
For a good article about growing staghorn ferns in San Diego visit https://www.mastergardenersd.org/tropical-staghorn-ferns-take-root-here.
(Ray Brooks, Escondido, 9/25) – S.T-B.
Russelia equisetiformis 'Aurea' YELLOW CORAL PLANT
Russelia equisetiformis 'Flamingo Park' PINK CORAL PLANT, CORAL FOUNTAIN, FIRECRACKER PLANT
(Scrophulariaceae) Hybrid (from Mexico)
We are fortunate to be able to grow so many stunning plants that originated in Mexico, and the specimens displayed of these two plants are good examples of low-water species that bloom much of the year with minimal care. I purchased both of these plants at the exceptional fall plant sale at U.C. Riverside, each in 1-gallon pots for $8.00, and they have been in near-constant bloom since 2011 (the ‘Aurea’) and 2012 (‘Flamingo Park’). Both are vigorous and are now about 3-4’ tall by at least 6’ wide, and while I haven’t checked I believe they are slowly spreading through underground runners. They’re not bad cut flowers, which is most welcome when you’re trying to make a bouquet in December. Mine are in full sun, and all I do is cut them back to keep them off the pathways. The ‘Aurea’ is a soft yellow but the flowers occasionally revert to red (the color of the original species), while ‘Flamingo Park’ has salmon flowers.
From the website for San Marcos Growers: “Russelia equisetiformis 'Flamingo Park' (Pink Coral Plant) - A multi-branching, evergreen (in our climate), subshrub with 4 to 5 foot long arching 4-angled stems that have leaves that have been reduced to very small scale-like ovate leaflets. Both stems and leaves are a bright green color and new grow starts erect but rapidly bends over to form a graceful mound. Primarily in spring and summer the tips of the branches are graced with bright coral-pink tubular flowers, but flowering can occur any time of the year with flower buds only dropping off if temperatures are too cool. Plant in full sun to deep shade. Tolerates wind and most any soil with medium drainage but does requires fairly regular to occasional irrigation to look its best - can be kept drier in shade but does not bloom well. Hardy to 25° F and can resprout after a freeze. Great for a large pot or used spilling over a wall. Can be trained up a trellis to make a taller more vertical plant. This species grows naturally from Mexico south to Guatemala.” https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2647
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 925) – S.T-B.
Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia AFRICAN VIOLETS
(Gesneriaceae) Tanzania, Kenya
African Violets have been grown as houseplants for nearly 100 years, and are popular plants for sharing as they are easily divided and can also be propagated from leaves removed from the mother plant. Blooming in many colors, from white to pink to violet, they thrive on partly shaded windowsills and can live for years in relatively small containers. From the National Garden Bureau: “The African Violet Saintpaulia ionantha was originally discovered in 1892 by Walter von Saint-Paul-Illaire in the wooded Usambara mountains near the border of Kenya and Tanzania in Africa. In the fall of 1892, the plant was sent to the Herrenhausen Greenhouse in Hanover, Germany. Master Gardener and Botanist Hermann Wedland recorded the plant for the first time as a member of the Gesneriad family. The African Violet was exhibited for the first time in 1893 and caught the attention of the public. The first commercial hybrids debuted in 1927. Nearly 100 years have passed with many innovations that have made the African Violet one of the most popular house plants in the world.” They recommend growing plants in filtered sunlight or with LED and fluorescent lights. Well-drained soil should be moist but not soggy, and plants do best when watered with warm temperature water from below so that the leaves are kept dry. For their growing suggestions go to https://ngb.org/year-of-the-african-violet.
Note from Karen England: Available at garden centers everywhere are Self Watering Pots like this (sizes and styles vary) and they are the secret for my success with these beauties.
(Anne Murphy, Vista, 9/25) – S.T-B.
Thunbergia alata 'Rose Sensation' ROSE SENSATION BLACK-EYED SUSAN
(Acanthaceae) East Africa
From the website for Annie’s Annuals: “We are so stoked to discover this new variety of Black-Eyed-Susan Vine! Extra-large 2” across “Black-Eyed” rich rose blooms fade to soft pink for an enchanting multicolored effect, sweetly highlighted against the lush green arrow shaped foliage. Fast growing as an annual in colder zones (blooming June-September) it’s fast, evergreen and practically ever-blooming in USDA zones 9b-11. An easy and awesome subject for obelisks, trellises and large containers, it happily twines itself around any support, creating a dense mass of foliage and flowers. Do grow in decent, rich soil for first-rate appearance. Hummingbirds! To 5-8’ tall.” Susi Torre-Bueno notes: “I purchased a 4” plant from Annie’s Annuals (via Plant Depot in San Juan Capistrano) in June, 2019, and as of September 2025 it has been in pretty much constant bloom! I put it in a 12” diameter clay pot which sits on soil, and the roots have grown through the bottom of the pot, probably a good thing to support the plant’s lush growth. Mine has gotten a lot larger than 8’ tall (at least to 12’), and it doesn’t hang but crawls gracefully along the ground in an otherwise uninteresting area. All I do is prune it as necessary to keep it in check. The pot is in afternoon sun in a sheltered location. You could probably root it by pinning down a stem and letting it form roots, then removing the rooted portion to move elsewhere. Mine gets watered about once a week. So far it has had no pests, and the snails ignore it.”
(Susi Torre-Bueno, Vista, 925) – S.T-B.
Euphorbia milii CROWN-OF-THORNS
(Euphorbiaceae) Madagascar
Talk about an attack plant – the specimen displayed had thorns to spare! From World of Succulents: “The plant produces flowers all year round, primarily in spring and summer. The inconspicuous greenish true flowers, borne in cyathia, are subtended by long-lasting, usually bright red (pink, white, or yellow in some cultivars), exceptionally showy bracts. The fruits are 3-lobed capsules that contain gray-brown seeds.” For information about caring for the plant visit https://worldofsucculents.com/euphorbia-milii/.
From Wikipedia: “It is thought that the species was introduced to the Middle East in ancient times; legend, which associates it with the crown-of-thorns worn by Jesus Christ upon his crucifixion, has likely influenced the common name "crown-of-thorns". It is commonly used as an ornamental houseplant but can be grown outside year-round in warmer, frost-free climates. E. milii is a woody, succulent subshrub or shrub growing up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) tall, depending on cultivar, with densely spiny stems. Some varieties grow in a more horizontal, sprawling, or prostrate manner, while others grow nearly vertically. Certain cultivars are prized for their thinner stems, while many, especially the Thai hybrids, have considerably thicker, substantial stems, measuring several inches in diameter. Just as the flowers and growth habit can vary by cultivar, so too can the sharpness/bluntness or shape and consistency of the spines. On most varieties, the spines will measure up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long, and aid the plant in scrambling over other plants, eventually forming a dense and impenetrable wall. The fleshy, green leaves are found mainly on new growth, and are up to 3.5 cm (1.4 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.59 in) broad. Several variegated varieties exist in cultivation. The sap is moderately poisonous, and causes irritation on contact with skin or eyes.”
(unknown member, 9/25 – S.T-B.
Stapelia gigantea GIANT STARFISH FLOWER, CARRION PLANT
(Apocynaceae) South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Provinces) north to Malawi and Zambia
How exciting when Anthony Quaglietta arrived and plunked down a big carton of fresh cuttings from his Stapelia gigantea, and so generous of him to share them with us! The flowers were huge, up to 16” wide, and although I didn’t get too close, they are well known for being scented like rotten flesh, the better to attract the flies that pollinate them. The flower buds were exceptionally interesting, too, looking like 6”-wide fully-inflated balloons with one pointed end.
According to Wikipedia: “There have been several proposed reasons for the size of the flowers of S. gigantea. First, it is possible that they are large to attract the flies that pollinate them. The large size and colour of the flowers combined with the carrion smell may cause the flies to behave as if it is a dead carcass and be more likely to visit it.”
From the From the SDHS Plant Forum Compilation (https://sdhort.org/PlantForum) - Description by Steve Brigham: “The genus consists of about 90-100 species of low-growing succulent plants native to tropical and southern Africa, most of which grow well in Southern California. This plant will amaze your friends, and is one of the most notable members of the “plants that have flowers larger than the plant itself” club. The Starfish Flower is a low-growing succulent plant, with clumping 6–8-inch-tall cactus-like stems that produce star-shaped flowers 10–16 inches across. These flowers do in fact look like a large starfish, with a similar brownish cast and crimson markings. But wait—there’s more! The flowers actually smell like a starfish (albeit a rather deceased one!). The reason for this is that this plant is fly-pollinated, and it is such a powerful attractant that I have personally seen whole families of maggots parading within the flowers. No, I’m not making this up, and the Starfish Flower is easy to grow in full sun or a little shade either in containers or in the ground with only moderate to little watering. It adapts well to a sunny, well drained spot such as a rock garden. It is subject to rot during cold and wet winters. Protect from frost.”
(Anthony Quaglietta, Poway, 9/25) – S.T-B. & S.B.
