Orbea - Semota v. Lutea

Orbea semota var. lutea: The Yellow Starfish Flower

The Orbea Semota v. Lutea is a succulent plant known for its striking, star-shaped, vibrant yellow flowers. It's a variety of Orbea semota, distinguished primarily by its yellow flower coloration. These flowers, while beautiful, emit a carrion-like scent to attract fly pollinators. The plant has a sprawling, mat-forming growth habit with fleshy, toothed stems. It's native to areas in East Africa, particularly near Nairobi, Kenya.

• Appearance:

  • It's a much-branched, mat-forming succulent with fleshy, toothed stems that can reach up to 4 inches tall. 

  • The stems are pale yellowish-green. 

  • It produces large, star-shaped flowers that are typically a vibrant yellow. 

  • These flowers are fringed with simple hairs. 

• Scent:

  • The flowers emit a distinctive odor that resembles carrion, attracting pollinators like flies. 

• Growth Habit:

  • It has a sprawling, mat-forming growth habit. 

• Blooming Season:

  • Summer-autumn. 

• Distribution:

  • Found near Nairobi in Kenya. 

Care Tips:

• Light: Provide bright, indirect light or partial shade. 

• Water: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, as it is highly drought-tolerant. 

• Soil: Well-draining soil is essential. 

• Fertilizing: Fertilize sparingly during the growing season. 

• Repotting: Re-pot every 2 years. 

• Propagation: Easiest with stem cuttings. 

• Pest and diseases: Orbea species vary in their susceptibility to rotting, but are generally fairly easy to grow, especially if kept pest-free. 

* Picture and information intended only as a guide.  Size and colours of plants will vary, not any 1 plant is exactly the same and minor variations will occur.

** All plants will be posted bare rooted.