Caralluma burchardii

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Caralluma burchardii, commonly called cuernúa or wolf chumberilla, belongs to the genus Caralluma. They are fleshy plants with the appearance of a cactus (without being one), from the Apocynaceae family. This species is endemic to the eastern islands of the Canary archipelago, although there is another subspecies in Morocco.

Description

Fleshy in appearance, it develops greyish-green rib-shaped stems, where the leaves are reduced to small spicules.
The star-shaped, dark purplish-brown flower is densely covered in white hairs with a circular yellow center. The seeds present a tuft of long white hairs (Vilano). Blooms between December and January.

Distribution and habitat

Endemic to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Graciosa It is found in desert areas, especially in bright places. It is frequently found on the Tindaya mountain or the La Oliva area of Fuerteventura, also on the islet of Lobos. It tolerates light frosts.

Etymology

Basionym: Caralluma burchardii.
Vernacular name:
Spanish:Chumberilla de lobo, cuernúa.

Uses

It is used as an ornamental plant in arid gardens or as a pot plant. This plant requires little care, but it needs warmth and loose, coarse-grained soil. Keep dry in winter.
It is propagated by seeds, cuttings and segments.

Subspecies

Two subspecies of this plant are known:

  • Caralluma burchardii ssp. burchardii in the Canary Islands.
  • Caralluma burchardii ssp. maura found only in Morocco. Different from ssp. burchardii to have the shortest stems and the most compressed ribs. The flowers have a golden yellow crown characteristic.

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