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Orbea wissmannii subs. parviloba (Bruyns) Mosti & Raffaelli

Family: ASCLEPIADACEAE · Variety or form of Orbea wissmannii

Publication: Asklepios 110: 14. 2011 [Mar 2011]

Description

Orbea wissmannii subsp. parviloba is similar to subsp. wissmannii but has thinner corolla lobes.

Distinguishing features: The corolla lobes are inside yellow, yellow suffused with red, or red and yellow. The corona is yellow (sometime tinged with red), with outer lobes forming a pouch. The pedicels is 5-10 mm long. The corolla lobes are 9-10 mm long and less than 2 mm wide (more than 3 mm wide in subsp. wissmannii), pale yellow and are covered with white hairs. The corona is 1.5-2 mm tall and 2.5 mm across.

Origin and Habitat

Yemen.

Cultivation and Propagation

Orbea wismannii var. parviloba 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: Orbeas 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.

Bibliography

  1. Bruyns, P.V. 1000. “New combinations in the genus Orbea.” Aloe 37(4): 71-76.

  2. Bruyns, P.V. 2.002. “Monograph of Orbea and Ballyanthus (Apocynaceae-Asclepidoideae-Ceropegiae).” Syst. Bot. Monographs 63: 1-196.

  3. Collenatte, S. 1999. “Wildflowers of Saudi Arabia.” National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD). Kingdom of Saui Arabia.

  4. Meve, U. 2.009a. “Taxonomic changes in Arabian taxa of Orbea Haw. (Ceropegiae)”. Asklepios 105: 19-11.

  5. Meve, U. wo9b. “Correction: Orbea nardii precedes Orbea wissmannii var. parviloba.” Asklepios io6: 12..

  6. Miller, A.G., Morris, M. 1988. “Plants of Dhofar.” The Office of The Adviser for Conservation of the Environ-ment, Diwan of Royal Court. Sultanate of Oman.

  7. Mosti S., Raffaelli M. “Re-evaluation of Orbea nardii and 0. wissmannii var. parviloba, including infraspecific reclassification of 0. wissmannii” Asklepios 110/2011

  8. Pilbeam, J. 2010. “Stapeliads.” British Cactus & Succulent Society. UK.

  9. Plowes, D. 2.010. “When is a Caralluma not a Caralluma?” Asklepios 107: 3-2.2.

  10. Raffaelli, M., Mosti, S., Tardelli, M. 2.008. “Apocynaceae of Oman : Orbea nardii, sp. nov. and Pentatropis bentii, first finding.” Webbia 63(1): 161-167.

  11. John Hunter Thomas “Systematic Botany Monographs” American Society of Plant Taxonomists, 2002