Martin Heigan's Complete Stapeliad Photo Gallery

Stapeliads
"Hidden Treasures of the Desert"

Martin Heigan Desert Stapeliad Photo Gallery

Stapeliads belong to the Asclepiad plant family (Asclepiadaceae), and the majority are found in the arid regions of South Africa and Madagascar. Some species are however scattered higher up in Africa, and grow as far north as the southern regions of Europe. Due to the remoteness and harsh climates that Stapeliads thrive in, most people aren't fortunate enough to ever see some of the most spectacular flowers on the planet.

I would like to make use of this opportunity to share the beauty of these rare and unusual flowers from the Deserts of South Africa..!

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Digital Macro Photographs of Asclepiads (including Stapeliads, Ceropegias and Hoya) by Martin Heigan.

Macro Camera Equipment:

Nikon D200 & D70 D-SLR ; Nikon Micro-Nikkor 60mm Lens ; Kenko Extension Tubes ; Nikon Close-Up Speedlight Commander Kit R1C1 ; Nikon SB-800 Speedlight ; Nikon SB-29S Macro Ring-Flash ; Digi-Slave Ultra II LED Lens Ring ; Nikon MC-36 Remote ; Manfrotto 055 PRO Tripod ; Manfrotto 438 Ball Camera Leveller ; Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head ; Manfrotto 454 Micro Positioning Plate.

Stapeliads:


Stapelia flavopurpurea (Corona)	Stapelia flavopurpurea


Pectinaria articulata subsp. asperiflora	Pectinaria articulata subsp. asperiflora


Huernia hystrix	Huernia hystrix


Huernia hystrix	Huernia hystrix subsp. parvula


Stapelia grandiflora	Stapelia grandiflora


Stapelia hirsuta var. hirsuta	Stapelia hirsuta var. hirsuta


Stapelia schinzii var. schinzii (Corona Close Up)	Stapelia leendertziae (Corona deep inside flower)


Stapelia obducta	Stapelia asterias


Orbea hardyi	Caralluma hexagona


Stapelia gettliffei X Tavaresia barklyi (Corona Close Up)	Stapelia gettliffei X Tavaresia barklyi


Orbea variegata (Corona)	Orbea variegata (Corona)


Huernia zebrina subsp. magniflora	Huernia zebrina subsp. magniflora


Huernia zebrina subsp. magniflora	Huernia zebrina subsp. zebrina


Huernia humilis	Huernia thudichumii


Orbea variegata (Corona)	Orbea variegata (Corona)


Huernia volkartii	Huernia volkartii (Extreme Macro)


Huernia volkartii	Richtersveldia columnaris


Huernia longituba subsp longituba	Huernia longituba subsp longituba


Orbea variegata	Orbea variegata


Hoodia gordonii growing in nature	Hoodia gordonii growing in nature


Hoodia gordonii growing in nature	Hoodia gordonii growing in nature


Orbea huillensis subsp. huillensis	Stapelia schinzii var. schinzii (Opening)


Huernia thuretii var. primulina	Stapelia divaricata


Huernia hystrix	Huernia guttata


Huernia guttata	Huernia guttata


Huernia longii	Huernia pendula growing in nature


Huernia pendula	Stapelia paniculata var. scitula


Orbea verrucosa hybrid	Echidnopsis cereiformis


Duvalia parviflora	Australluma ubomboensis


Huernia plowesii	Duvalia caespitosa ssp. vestitia


Huernia barbata	Orbea woodii


Duvalia caespitosa X Huernia pillansii hybrid	Stapelia schinzii var. schinzii Close-Up


Huernia thuretii	Piaranthus decorus ssp. cornutus


Stapelia schinzii var. schinzii (Symmetry)	Stapelia gigantea


Piaranthus decipiens Ckose-Up	Orbea verrucosa Close-Up


Larryleachia marlothii (about to flower)	Stapelia schinzii var. schinzii (Symmetry)


Piaranthus decorus ssp. cornutus	Piaranthus decipiens


Stapelia leendertziae	Stapelia unicornis


Piaranthus decipiens Close-Up	Orbea variegata


Stapelia leendertziae	Stapelia leendertziae


Orbea variegata	Stapelia clavicorona


Stapelia clavicorona	Huernia insigniflora


Duvalia polita	Duvalia elegans


Huernia insigniflora	Huernia pillansii


Orbea paradoxa	Huernia insigniflora


Echidnopsis watsonii	Orbea paradoxa


Huernia pillansii	Duvalia elegans


Stapelia baylissii	Echidnopsis watsonii


Stapelia kougabergensis	Richtersveldia columnaris (was Notechidnopsis columnaris)


Huernia hislopii (cross-section)	Duvalia modesta


Duvalia modesta Close-Up	Orbea paradoxa


Huernia humilis	Huernia humilis Time-Lapse Quicktime Movie


Huernia schneideriana	Stapelia hirsuta


Stapelia hirsuta	Huernia procumbens


Huernia barbata	Huernia barbata


Tavaresia barklyi (cross-section)	Tavaresia barklyi


Tavaresia barklyi	Stapelia asterias


Tavaresia divaricata	Stapelia divaricata


Tromotriche choanantha	Stapelia pillansii


Stapelia paniculata var. scitula	Stapelia paniculata var. scitula


Stapelia paniculata var. scitula	Stapelia paniculata var. scitula


Stapelia gettliffei Time-Lapse Quicktime Movie	<- The culprit that bumped the Stapelia gettliffei camera


Stapelia gettliffei	Stapelia gettliffei macro


Stapelia hirsuta macro	Huernia barbata macro


Huernia hystrix growing in nature	Huernia hystrix growing in nature


Huernia pillansii macro	Stapelia schinzii var. schinzii Time-Lapse Quicktime Movie


Huernia pendula growing in nature	Huernia pendula growing in nature


Stapelia gettliffei X Tavaresia barklyi Time-Lapse Quicktime Movie	Stapelia gettliffei X Tavaresia barklyi macro


Stapelia gettliffei X Tavaresia barklyi extreme macro	Stapelia gettliffei X Tavaresia barklyi macro


Stapelia hirsuta var. hirsuta	Stapelia hirsuta var. hirsuta macro


Tromotriche revoluta Time-Lapse Quicktime Movie	Tromotriche revoluta


Tromotriche revoluta	Tromotriche revoluta maro


Tromotriche revoluta macro	Stapelia grandiflora


Stapelia hirsuta var. hirsuta	Stapelia hirsuta var. hirsuta


Hoodia grandis	Hoodia grandis


Hoodia grandis	Larryleachia marlothii (about to flower)


Larryleachia marlothii (about to flower)	Stapelia obducta macro


Stapelia obducta	Stapelia obducta macro


Stapelia obducta macro	Stapelia obducta macro


Duvalia polita	Larryleachia marlothii (first flower)


Larryleachia marlothii (first flower)	Stapelia gettliffei


Stapelia hirsuta var. hirsuta macro	Stapelia hirsuta var. hirsuta


Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata	Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata


Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata	Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata


Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata	Larryleachia marlothii flowers


Larryleachia marlothii (flower size reference)	Larryleachia marlothii (rarity: 6 petal flower)


Larryleachia marlothii (rarity: 6 petal flower)	Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata


Orbea verrucosa (6 petals)	Larryleachia marlothii (new growth)


Orbea variegata (first flower, late winter)	Huernia insigniflora


Orbea verrucosa (7 petals)	Orbea verrucosa (Double flower, 10 petals)


Hoodia grandis	Hoodia grandis


Echidnopsis cereiformis	Stapelia kougabergensis


Stapelia kougabergensis buds	Stapelia kougabergensis


Stapelia kougabergensis	Stapelia kougabergensis


Stapelia kougabergensis	Hoodia gordonii X Hoodia pilifera hybrid flower bud


Hoodia gordonii X Hoodia pilifera opening in the evening	Hoodia gordonii X Hoodia pilifera hybrid flower


Huernia guttata	Duvalia caespitosa X Huernia pillansii natural hybrid


Duvalia caespitosa X Huernia pillansii natural hybrid	Duvalia caespitosa X Huernia pillansii natural hybrid


Larryleachia picta	Orbea verrucosa hybrid (closing flower with only 4 petals)


Orbea verrucosa hybrid (6 petals)	Orbea dummeri


Orbea dummeri	Huernia distincta (Huernia clavigera X Huernia pillansii hybrid)


Huernia distincta (Huernia clavigera X Huernia pillansii hybrid)	Orbea variegata flower and bud


Echidnopsis cereiformis	Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata


Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata flower bud	Huernia guttata ssp. guttata


Huernia thudichumii flower	Huernia thudichumii flower (Corona)


Hoodia gordonii hybrid flower	Hoodia flava flower and buds


Orbea carnosa ssp. keithii (was Pachycymbium keithii)	Orbea carnosa ssp. keithii (was Pachycymbium keithii)


Caralluma hexagona	Caralluma hexagona


Hoodia pilifera subsp. annulata seedling	New Hoodia growth


Hoodia flava	Hoodia flava


Hoodia gordonii hybrid flowers	Hoodia gordonii hybrid flower corona


Tromotriche longipes	Tromotriche umdausensis


Pectinaria maughanii flower and buds	Huernia quinta var. quinta (Corona)


Orbea verrucosa hybrid flower	Orbea gerstneri ssp. elongata


Richtersveldia columnaris	Richtersveldia columnaris


Stapelia peglerae	Stapelia peglerae


Stapelia leendertziae	Huernia praestans (Corona)


Stapelia engleriana	Stapelia engleriana (Corona)


Stapelia flavopurpurea (Corona)	Stapelia flavopurpurea


Stapelia arenosa	Stapelia arenosa (Corona)


Duvalia caespitosa (Corona)	Duvalia caespitosa


Duvalia caespitosa	Duvalia caespitosa (Corona)


Duvalia caespitosa	Duvalia caespitosa


Orbea carnosa ssp. keithii (Corona)	Orbea semitubiflora


Orbea verrucosa hybrid (with 7 petals, not 5)	Tromotriche longii


Stapelia engleriana	Stapelia engleriana (Corona)


Pectinaria articulata subsp. asperiflora	Pectinaria articulata subsp. asperiflora


Huernia procumbens (6 petals)	Orbea paradoxa (endangered)


Orbea macloughlinii	Orbea doldii


Huernia verekeri	Orbea paradoxa (endangered)


Stapelia gettliffei X Tavaresia barklyi hybrid	Stapelia gettliffei X Tavaresia barklyi hybrid


Larryleachia picta	Larryleachia picta


Hoodia flava	Huernia guttata


Piaranthus germinatus	Piaranthus germinatus


Tromotriche longii	Hoodia flava (flower bud opeining)


Duvalia corderoyi	Duvalia corderoyi


Stapelia gigantea flower & buds	Stapelia flavopurpurea


Hoodia ruschii hybrid	Hoodia pilifera


Hoodia pilifera	Hoodia gordonii X Hoodia pilifera hybrid


Hoodia gordonii	Hoodia gordonii


Hoodia gordonii	Hoodia gordonii


Hoodia gordonii	Hoodia ruschii hybrid


Stapelia glanduliflora	Stapelia glanduliflora


Larryleachia	Larryleachia buds & seed pods


Larryleachia	Larryleachia seed pods


Larryleachia	Notechidnopsis tessellata


Notechidnopsis tessellata (size reference)	Notechidnopsis tessellata


Notechidnopsis tessellata	Notechidnopsis tessellata


Huernia hallii	Stapelia glanduliflora


Stapelia glanduliflora	Duvalia corderoyi


Tromotriche longipes	Tromotriche longipes


Tridentea gemmiflora	Tridentea gemmiflora (opening)


Tridentea gemmiflora bud	Tridentea gemmiflora (opening)


Apteranthes burchardii flower buds	Orbea speciosa


Stapelia hirsuta	Orbea macloughlinii


Stapelia glanduliflora	Stapelia gigantea


Stapelia schinzii var schinzii	Stapelia glanduliflora


Stapelia glanduliflora petal

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Please note that all the Images, Photographs, Time-Lapse Movies, and Quicktime VR Panoramas on this site are protected by

International Copyright Law (© Martin Heigan 2006), and may not be used commercially or in any other capacity without permission.

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Pollination:


Fly pollinating Orbea variegata	Fly behaviour after pollintion


Blow Fly on Stapelia gigantea	Blow Fly on Stapelia gigantea


Flies and Ants on Stapelia gigantea	Flies and Ants on Stapelia gigantea


Blow Fly on Stapelia gigantea	Flies on Stapelia gigantea


Blow Fly that got stuck on Stapelia gigantea	Ultimate deception, these Fly maggots will never hatch.


Fly pollinating Stapelia pillansii	Fly pollinating Stapelia pillansii


Blow Fly on Stapelia gigantea	Fly on opening Stapelia schinzii var. schinzii


Fly Mouth Parts (Extreme Macro)	Fly (Waiting its turn)


Blow fly's (mouth parts got stuck in Stapelia gigantea)	Stapelia gigantea pollination Time-Lapse Quicktime Movie


Stapelia gettliffei fly maggots macro	Fly on my camera bag, dreaming of Stapeliads


Fly on my camera bag, getting ready to go and pollinate	Stapelia gigantea pollination Time-Lapse Quicktime Movie


Fly on Stapelia gettliffei	Fly on Stapelia gettliffei


Stapelia gigantea X Stapelia hirsuta hybrid	Bee on Stapelia glanduliflora

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Please note that all the Images, Photographs, Time-Lapse Movies, and Quicktime VR Panoramas on this site are protected by

International Copyright Law (© Martin Heigan 2006), and may not be used commercially or in any other capacity without permission.

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Insects:


This Spider discovered that it is good to be around Stapeliads, as tasty flies are in abundance. The spider's camouflage was only broken when I watered it accidentally with my Stapeliads.	Grasshopper checking out the endangered Orbea paradoxa at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden Greenhouse.


A tiny Mealy Bug on an opening Huernia insigniflora flower. This innocent looking bug is actually a pest, and the largest threat to Stapeliads.	A macro photo of a tiny Mealy Bug on an opening Huernia insigniflora flower. This innocent looking bug is actually a pest, and the largest threat to Stapeliads.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Please note that all the Images, Photographs, Time-Lapse Movies, and Quicktime VR Panoramas on this site are protected by

International Copyright Law (© Martin Heigan 2006), and may not be used commercially or in any other capacity without permission.

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Brachystelma:


Brachystelma filifolium	Brachystelma filifolium


Brachystelma filifolium	Brachystelma filifolium


Brachystelma tuberosum	Brachystelma tuberosum


Brachystelma meyerianum	Brachystelma meyerianum


Brachystelma meyerianum	Brachystelma meyerianum


Brachystelma dinteri	Brachystelma dinteri


Brachystelma dinteri	Brachystelma circinnatum


Brachystelma circinnatum	Brachystelma circinnatum


Brachystelma circinnatum	Brachystelma circinnatum

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Please note that all the Images, Photographs, Time-Lapse Movies, and Quicktime VR Panoramas on this site are protected by

International Copyright Law (© Martin Heigan 2006), and may not be used commercially or in any other capacity without permission.

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Hoyas:


Bee on Hoya carnosa	Hoya carnosa (Before flowers open)


Hoya carnosa flowers (Macro)

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Please note that all the Images, Photographs, Time-Lapse Movies, and Quicktime VR Panoramas on this site are protected by

International Copyright Law (© Martin Heigan 2006), and may not be used commercially or in any other capacity without permission.

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Ceropegias:


Ceropegia radicans	Ceropegia radicans


Ceropegia ampliata	Ceropegia ampliata


Ceropegia leroyi	Ceropegia leroyi


Ceropegia monteroiae	Ceropegia monteroiae


Ceropegia monteroiae	Ceropegia cimiciodora


Ceropegia denticulata

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Please note that all the Images, Photographs, Time-Lapse Movies, and Quicktime VR Panoramas on this site are protected by

International Copyright Law (© Martin Heigan 2006), and may not be used commercially or in any other capacity without permission.

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Other Asclepiads:


Sarcostemma insigne	Sarcostemma insigne


Raphionacme burkii	Raphionacme burkii


Fockea edulis

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Please note that all the Images, Photographs, Time-Lapse Movies, and Quicktime VR Panoramas on this site are protected by

International Copyright Law (© Martin Heigan 2006), and may not be used commercially or in any other capacity without permission.

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Habitat:

Stapeliad Habitat Photographs:


Orbea ciliata in habitat	Orbea ciliata in habitat


Orbea ciliata in habitat	Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat


Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat	Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat


Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat	Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat


Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat	Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat


Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat	Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat


Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat	Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat


Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat	Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat


Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata in habitat	Huernia guttata ssp. reticulata cristate in habitat


Pectinaria longipes subsp. villetii habitat	Pectinaria longipes subsp. villetii flowering in habitat


Pectinaria longipes subsp. villetii habitat	Pectinaria longipes subsp. villetii flowering in habitat


Pectinaria longipes subsp. villetii habitat	Pectinaria longipes subsp. villetii flowering in habitat


Pectinaria longipes subsp. villetii habitat	Pectinaria longipes subsp. villetii flowering in habitat


Pectinaria maughanii habitat	Pectinaria maughanii flowering in habitat


Pectinaria maughanii flowering in habitat	Pectinaria maughanii flowering in habitat


Pectinaria maughanii & Quaqua swanepoelii habitat	Pectinaria maughanii flowering in habitat


Pectinaria maughanii flowering in habitat	Pectinaria maughanii flowering in habitat


Pectinaria maughanii flowering in habitat	Pectinaria maughanii flowering in habitat


Pectinaria maughanii flowering in habitat	Quaqua swanepoelii flowering in habitat


Quaqua swanepoelii flowering in habitat	Quaqua swanepoelii flowering in habitat


Quaqua mammillaris in habitat (self portrait shadow)	Quaqua mammillaris in habitat


Quaqua mammillaris in habitat (self portrait shadow)	Quaqua mammillaris in habitat


Quaqua mammillaris in habitat (seed pods)	Stapelia glanduliflora in habitat


Stapelia glanduliflora in habitat	Stapelia glanduliflora in habitat

Stapeliads growing in Nature (out of their true habitat):


Hoodia gordonii growing in nature	Hoodia gordonii growing in nature


Hoodia gordonii growing in nature	Hoodia gordonii growing in nature


Huernia hystrix growing in nature	Huernia hystrix growing in nature


Huernia pendula growing in nature	Huernia pendula growing in nature


Huernia pendula growing in nature	South Africa - Succulent Habitat


South Africa - Succulent Habitat (note endangered Black Eagle)	South Africa - Succulent Habitat


South Africa - Succulent Habitat

Habitat Panoramas:

Here is an example of a typical habitat well suited to Stapeliads (South Africa).

The Succulent Rock Garden at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (South Africa) close to my house.

In my spare time, I take care of the Stapeliad collection at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden as a volunteer.

360 Degree Panoramic Photographs:

360 Degree Quicktime VR Panorama:

Quicktime VR Navigation Controls:

Mouse Click & Drag = Left, Right, Up, & Down ;

Ctrl = Zoom Out ; Shift = Zoom In.

Quicktime Plugin Required

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Please note that all the Images, Photographs, Time-Lapse Movies, and Quicktime VR Panoramas on this site are protected by

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Greenhouse:

As South Africa is a very large country (with dramatically different climates in the 9 Provinces), I have a greenhouse to ensure a more controlled environment for my Stapeliads. A Large number of Stapeliads grow quite happily in my garden (but as with any succulent), it is always wise to have a backup plant in the greenhouse.


My Stapeliad greenhouse in the trees	Stapeliad plants in the greenhouse


Greenhouse Stapeliads flowering	Summer greenhouse temperatures of 50 °C (and higher)


New Cuttings and Seedlings	Stapelia gettliffei (Greenhouse) flower buds in the middle of Winter


Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden Succulent Greenhouse	Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden Stapeliad Greenhouse


Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden Stapeliad Greenhouse	Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden Hoodia

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

Please note that all the Images, Photographs, Time-Lapse Movies, and Quicktime VR Panoramas on this site are protected by

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Stapeliad Exchange List:

My "Stapeliad Cutting Exchange List" is available per special request.

Request my Stapeliad Exchange List

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Stapeliad Links:

A greater collection of my Stapeliad & Asclepiad photographs are available on my Flickr Photo Gallery:

Complete Stapeliad & Asclepiad Photo Gallery

Complete Stapeliad & Asclepiad Slide Show

Flickr Photographic Group: Stapeliads & Asclepiads

[Flickr Photographic Stapeliad & Asclepiad Group - RSS Feed]

[My Flickr Photographic Gallery - RSS Feed]

I am the Administrator of the new Flickr Stapeliad & Asclepiad photographic group. Any Stapeliad and Asclepiad photographs are welcome. Join and help us build a comprehensive photographic library of these amazing plants.

Stapeliads.info

For the largest and most comprehensive database and photographic gallery of Stapeliads, visit:

www.stapeliads.info

International Asclepiad Society

You can also join the IAS to receive publications and seed lists.

www.asclepiad-international.org

Asclepius

Interest Group Asclepiadaceae - Germany

www.ig-ascleps.org/asclepius.htm

Yahoo Groups

Discussion forums and mailing lists.

International Stapeliad Group - South African Stapeliad Group