Caralluma europaea

Peculiar succulent whose specific name refers to Europe as it was found for the first time in Lampedusa, while all the other specimens of Caralluma generally come from tropical Africa. It is one of the very rare cases of succulent of Italian origin, consisting of rather slender stems and about 13 cm tall, which tend to branch abundantly and give rise to a structure that can reach even 20 cm in diameter assuming a slightly twisted pattern. Each stem is equipped with four ribs dotted with asymmetrical teeth and takes on a gray-greenish tone with frequent purple spots. One of the strengths of C. europaea is certainly the inflorescence: at the tops of the stems bloom in fact graceful velvety flowers in the shape of a five-pointed star consisting of a yellowish shade pleasantly streaked with red-burgundy ornaments!