Orbea variegata: Country Or Region Of Origin
Africa
Plant Profile: Orbea variegata
Taxonomy: Orbea variegataNames
Carrion Cactus, Carrion Flower, Starfish Cactus, Star Flower, Toad Cactus, Toad Plant, Toad Spotted Cactus
Phonetic Spelling:ORB-ee-uh var-ee-GAY-tuh
Genus:Orbea
Species:variegata
Family:Apocynaceae
The Starfish Plant, a succulent known for its strikingly large flowers resembling starfish, belongs to the dogbane family and is indigenous to southern Africa. Commonly referred to as the Carrion Flower, this name stems from the unpleasant scent of decaying flesh emitted by its blooms, which effectively lure flies for pollination. Due to its resilience to drought, this plant is frequently chosen as a houseplant in regions with colder temperatures.
Orbea variegata Feature Summary
Tags
#showy flowers
#drought tolerant
#large flowers
#malodorus
#non-toxic for horses
#non-toxic for dogs
#non-toxic for cats
Similar Plants
Orbea variegata Feature Summary
Attributes
Perennial
Flowers
3" showy star-shaped flowers with five spotted maroon petals appear late summer to fall.
Red/Burgundy
Cream/Tan
Solitary
Summer
Fall
4-5 petals/rays
Star
1-3 inches
Stem
4 angled erect fleshy gray-green stems. Turn red in full sun.
Green
Red/Burgundy
Gray/Silver
Angular
Straight
Whole Plant Traits
Houseplant
Succulent
Cultural Conditions
9a
9b
10a
10b
11a
11b
Leaves
Landscape
Orbea variegata Image Gallery
Orbea variegata Attributes
Orbea variegata: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Orbea variegata Flowers
Orbea variegata: Flower Description
3" showy star-shaped flowers with five spotted maroon petals appear late summer to fall.
Orbea variegata: Flower Color
Cream/Tan
Red/Burgundy
Orbea variegata: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Orbea variegata: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Orbea variegata: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Orbea variegata: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Orbea variegata: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Orbea variegata: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Orbea variegata Stem
Orbea variegata: Stem Description
4 angled erect fleshy gray-green stems. Turn red in full sun.
Orbea variegata: Stem Color
Gray/Silver
Green
Red/Burgundy
Orbea variegata: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Orbea variegata: Stem Cross Section
Angular
Oval
Round
Square
Orbea variegata: Stem Form
Straight
Zig Zags
Orbea variegata Whole Plant Traits
Orbea variegata: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Orbea variegata Cultural Conditions
Orbea variegata: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
10a
10b
11a
11b
9a
9b
Orbea variegata Leaves
Orbea variegata: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Orbea variegata Landscape
Orbea variegata: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Orbea variegata: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Orbea variegata: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
