Orbea melanantha

O. melanantha is a small succulent with fleshy stems, equipped with pointed tubercles, toothed and tending to branch at the base. The epidermis is opaque green and some purple streaks may appear if the plant is exposed to the sun for a long time. Its name comes from the Latin "orbis" which means "circle", in reference to the peculiar central disk present in almost all flowers. In fact, the real strong point are the inflorescences: similar to those of the Stapelia, the flowers, star-shaped, seem velvety and have very strong, brownish colours, so much that the plant is also called 'Caralluma with black flowers'. Similarly, their unpleasant odour, which facilitates pollination, is also characteristic. The flowering period is summer-autumn.