Botanical Name

Huernia insigniflora

Other names

Huernia zebrina subspecies insigniflora; Huernia confusa; cherry lifesaver

Asclepiadaceae

Dimensions

A perennial succulent growing in multistemmed clumps, spreading through suckers

Description of Stem

Four or five edged succulent stems with rows of sharp, soft teeth; grey-green in colour, sometimes with purplish patches; up to 15 cm tall

Description of Leaves

Stems only

Description of flowers

Flowers in five parts, a cream five-lobed corolla with fine maroon mottling on the upper surface; the five-pointed corolla has small subsidiary tips where the lobes join; a pronounced and shiny brick or coral red ring (annulus) protrudes above the flower surface, with fine hairs on its inner edge

Description of seed/fruit

Description of roots

Variation

Propagation and Cultivation

Grows from herbaceous stem cuttings or by dividing clumps; easy to grow if not over-watered

Tolerances

Somewhat drought tolerant; full sun may be damage, better in semi-shade conditions; may be frost tender

Uses

Internationally popular gardening subject with striking flowers

Ecological rarity

Pests and Diseases

Other

Nurseries sell different Huernias under this name when website flower pictures are studied, hence the name variations mentioned above

Location

Granite hills and outcrops, sandy soil, semi-shade

Distribution

Limpopo, Mpumalanga (reports of it growing in the Eastern and Western Cape Karroo areas may relate to a confusion of species?)

Country

South Africa