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  Piaranthus geminatus  v. geminatus CACTUS ART
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Piaranthus geminatus
 

Description: Clumping and prostrate species that spread over the ground forming large cushions.
Stems: Procumbent or ascending, divided in short squat ovoid or cylindrical articles obtuse to obscurely 4-angled, with 2-4 minute teeth along each angle. Surface smooth or slightly rough, light-green tips faintly purple.
Flowers: 1 to 3 (rarely more) in a short inflorescence, Flowers are valerian scented with fruity component about 13 mm to 42 mm in diameter, star-shaped, more or less pubescent, and velvety the colour of the open corolla varying from whitish, yellowish, reddish or bright brown, with or without brown-red dots or transverse lines (sometime condensed to a more or less plain colouration) margin recurved. Corona yellow, unspotted. Tube absent. Peduncles 2-20 mm long x 1-2 mm in diameter, sepals 2-4 mm long.
Blooming season:
Produces numerous flowers simultaneously in October.

Taxonomy remarks : The genus Piaranthus  is a very confusing complex of extremely nearly related species with many intermediary forms growing together in many widespread localities and they are very difficult to distinguish. Also experienced botanist found difficulty to separate and classify reliably the various species and forms.
In particular Piaranthus geminatus var. geminatus is a very variable species which now also includes the former species P. globosus, P. disparilis,  and P. pillansii.

Pollination: This plat are pollinated by flies (myiophilous pollination). Fly are attracted by olfactory stimuli, imitating dung or decaying organic (zoogenic or phytogenic) matter, together with mimetic colouration and, sometimes mimetic sculpturing. Nectar is present. The nectar mainly serves as optical attractant causing brilliance effects, and as visitor guide. However, nectar obviously is also a reward. In the pollination process flies carry pollinaria only at the distal parts of their proboscis, never on their legs. The pollinator spectra are similiar between of flowers in habitat and cultivated ones.
 


Cultivation:  It is an easy blooming plant when mature that require moderately watering through the growing season but enjoy plenty of water and some fertiliser in hot weather, this helps them to flower freely. Water more sparingly in winter according to temperatures. But, as with most asclepiads, it is unwise to leave them wet in cold weather. Winter care presents no problems at 5°C with plenty of light. Since roots are quite shallow, use a cactus mix or add extra perlite or pumice to regular soil potting soil. A gritty, very free-draining compost is suitable, and clay pots help the plants to dry out between watering.

Sun Exposure: Partial sun or light shade
Pest and diseases:   Stapelia species vary in their susceptibility to rotting, but are generally fairly easy to grow, especially if kept pest-free. They are very susceptible to stem and root mealy bugs, and damage from these may well initiate fungal attack. If you do have problems with a stem or with basal rotting, you can reliably isolate the healthy parts, dry them off, and re-root them in moist compost.
Cultural Practices: Re-pot every 2 years

Propagation: Easiest with stem cuttings. Allow cuttings to dry a day before planting. Stems must be laid (Not buried) on gritty compost and will then root from the underside of the stems. It can also be increased from seeds sowing in spring in moist, sandy peat moss.
Potting medium:  
Since roots are quite shallow, use a cactus mix or add extra perlite or pumice to regular soil potting soil. A gritty, very free-draining compost is suitable, and clay pots help the plants to dry out between watering.


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Photo gallery PIARANTHUS
 



 

Family: Asclepiadaceae (Apocynaceae)  (Milkweeds family)

Scientific Name: Piaranthus geminatus (Masson) N.E.Br. . subsp. geminatus

Origin Eastern and Western Cape Provinces

Synonyms:

  • Caralluma geminata (Masson) Schltr. fide White A. & Sloane B. L.
    Published in:The Stapelieae vol 2 p 808
  • Obesia geminata (Masson) Haw. fide White A. & Sloane B. L.
    Published in:The Stapelieae vol 2 p 808
    Piaranthus barrydalensis
    Meve fide Bruyns
    In Stapeliads 2: 358 (2005).
    Piaranthus disparilis N.E.Br.
    Piaranthus disparilis
    N.E.Br. var. immaculata C.A.Lückh.
    Piaranthus foetidus
    N.E.Br. fide Bruyns
    In Stapeliads 2: 358 (2005).
    Piaranthus foetidus
    N.E.Br. var. diversus fide Bruyns
    In Stapeliads 2: 358 (2005).
    Piaranthus foetidus
    N.E.Br. var. multipunctatus fide Bruyns
    In Stapeliads 2: 358 (2005).
    Piaranthus foetidus N.E.Br. var. pallidus
    fide Bruyns
    In Stapeliads 2: 358 (2005).
    Piaranthus foetidus N.E.Br. var. purpureus f
    ide Bruyns
    In Stapeliads 2: 358 (2005).
    Piaranthus geminatus (Masson) N.E.Br. var. foetidus (N.E.Br.) Meve fide Bruyns
    In Stapeliads 2: 358 (2005).
    Piaranthus globosus
    A.C.White & B.Sloane
    Piaranthus pillansii
    N.E.Br.
    Piaranthus pillansii
    N.E.Br. var. inconstans
    Podanthes geminata
    (Masson)G.Nicholson fide White A.&Sloane B. L. In: The Stapelieae vol 2 p 808
    Stapelia geminata
    Masson

 

 



Flowers about 2 cm in diameter, star-shaped,


Buds

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Piaranthus geminatus. This Taxon has lots of synonyms ( like many other stapeliads) whit several controversial varieties and subspecies and comprises a multitude of different forms, but where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate characteristics:

Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Succulents. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.