Carlluma fimbriata

Family

Asclepiadaceae

Native

India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka

Description

Caralluma fimbriata is an erect branched herb, 20-30 cm tall. Stems are leafless, 4-angled, fleshy, green, tapering to a point. Leaves are minute, present only on young branches, soon falling off, leaving a tooth-like projection on the angles. Flowers are borne at the end of branches, singly or 2-3 together on short stalks. Flowers are like wheels, 2 cm across. Petals are narrow, purple with yellow marking, and margins frilly with hairs. Fruits are 10-12 cm long, cylindric with one of the pairs often suppressed.

Environment

Caralluma are relatively easy to grow. They should be treated as an outdoor plant as they will easily rot indoors and cannot flower without exposure to outdoor temperature fluctuations. They should be grown under cover so that watering can be controlled. The plant require ample amount of sunlight to promote flowering and maintain a well-shaped plant. Very shady positions will produce very poor flowering. Caralluma plants can survive high temperature in summer months so most growth is in spring and autumn, with flowering in autumn when the weather starts to cool down. They all need good drainage.

Landscape Uses

Makes an attractive landscape plant and or container patio plant where some height is needed, being an attractive accent plant, Suited for window sill.