Quaqua mammillaris full#
Quaqua mammillaris free#

Sow the seeds soon after ripe, the more time passes before sowing, the lower the germination success will be. Unlike most other stapeliads, the aroena is very difficult to grow from cuttings and should be propagated by seeds.

Quaqua mammillaris full#

Quaqua mammilaris will grow well in a semi shaded to full sun position.

Or in the case of Quaqua pruinosa, that flowers more or less the same time as this species, the flowers emit different scents to attract different fly species, so cross pollination does not take place. Hybrids are not often found in nature, because of different flowering times. The sharp tubercles and angled stem also protect it from being eaten by animals. The plant is leafless and photosynthesizes from the green stems.

The seeds have hairy appendances that allow them to be dispersed by wind. The ovary has the ability to remain in this state for a long period before developing the fruit, and can thus wait for suitable conditions to release seeds, over several good flowering years. After the flower has been fertilized it falls off and the fertilized ovaries are covered by the sepals. The fly, not learning from its previous encounter, visits the next flower, taking the pollen with it.

Quaqua mammillaris free#

As the fly gets more nectar, its legs or proboscis (mouth part) may get stuck in the guide rail and it needs to pull to free itself, thereby possibly dislodging the entire pollinarium. The scent is stronger towards the centre of the flower, thus luring the flies to spend more time there. The complex flowers are perfectly adapted for fly pollination. The flowers of the aroena, like other dark-flowered stapeliads in general, produce a foul smell to attract flies for pollination. The 4–6 mm long seeds have fine hairs attached to them. The fruit consists of a pair of slender horn-like follicles that split open when ripe, to release many pear shaped seeds. The centre of the flower is creamy white with purple speckles and inside of the flower is covered with hairs. The flowers are mainly found on the upper half of the stem, but can occur on any part of the stem. The flowers produce a strong, foul smell. The 20–27 mm long flowers are purple-black and appear in clusters of about 15 flowers that might be open simultaneously from March to June. Unlike most other stapeliads, it usually roots from the centre of the stem. The plant grows up to 450–600 mm high and 500 mm wide. The tubercles are irregularly arranged on the stem and the stem sap is clear. This spiny succulent has short stems that are 4- or 5-angled, bearing hardened tubercles with sharp, yellow-brown tips. Quaqua mammilaris is a leafless, succulent shrublet that usually branches from the base to form dense, upright clusters.