A flower with the fragrance of...
This particular plant has been circulating for quite some years now as 'Stapelia schinzii hybrid', although it isn't clear as to what other species contributes as the parent. It is possible that this particular clone is what has been known as CX880H, which traces its roots as greenhouse collected seeds, by Rod Knowles of Merseyside, NW England. The few photos I have seen from plants with such collection number exhibited flowers that are on the pink side, but plants even from the same seed batch, particularly hybrids, whether presumed or certain, are certain to feature variations, including with regards to coloration. But if I am mistaken on the identification, I would be very glad if someone can correct me, or at least provide additional details.
The thing with seeds collected within a diverse collection of related plants flowering at roughly the same time is that there is an increased likelihood that contamination from other species has taken place. This hybrid is superficially similar to S. schinzii, except for very noticeable differences in the corona structure, which in these plants have outwardly hooked inner corona lobes. The vibratile marginal hairs on the true S. schinzii also are paleae-like, instead of being straight and silky as in these plants. Size-wise, S. schinzii flowers are often 10 cm or more in diameter, but the flowers on this plant are only roughly 7.5 cm across.
This is the second time that this plant has flowered for me, after having received it as an unrooted cutting last November. It is easy to grow in a mineral mix with some laterite and a few pellets of balanced time release fertilizer, and kept under full sun with a thrice per week watering.
The flower began popping at almost 10 in the morning, and even when still partly open, it was already generously wafting its ravishing perfume of menstrual blood trapped in a sanitary napkin. Hey, that was suggested to me by women who have had the unfortunate experience of coming too close with a flower. It certainly was not a recollection on my part. That would be more than gross 😳
The setting sun lent... uhm... sunset hues to the flower, with the marginal hairs turning into brighter purple:
These plants may not be for everybody due to the loathsome odor emitted by the blooms, but their curious forms and coloration are just too difficult to resist, particularly by more adventurous, and less olfactorily offended, gardeners.
The thing with seeds collected within a diverse collection of related plants flowering at roughly the same time is that there is an increased likelihood that contamination from other species has taken place. This hybrid is superficially similar to S. schinzii, except for very noticeable differences in the corona structure, which in these plants have outwardly hooked inner corona lobes. The vibratile marginal hairs on the true S. schinzii also are paleae-like, instead of being straight and silky as in these plants. Size-wise, S. schinzii flowers are often 10 cm or more in diameter, but the flowers on this plant are only roughly 7.5 cm across.
This is the second time that this plant has flowered for me, after having received it as an unrooted cutting last November. It is easy to grow in a mineral mix with some laterite and a few pellets of balanced time release fertilizer, and kept under full sun with a thrice per week watering.
The flower began popping at almost 10 in the morning, and even when still partly open, it was already generously wafting its ravishing perfume of menstrual blood trapped in a sanitary napkin. Hey, that was suggested to me by women who have had the unfortunate experience of coming too close with a flower. It certainly was not a recollection on my part. That would be more than gross 😳
The setting sun lent... uhm... sunset hues to the flower, with the marginal hairs turning into brighter purple:
These plants may not be for everybody due to the loathsome odor emitted by the blooms, but their curious forms and coloration are just too difficult to resist, particularly by more adventurous, and less olfactorily offended, gardeners.
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