Duvalia caespitosa

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Duvalia caespitosa is a small succulent flowering plant in the Apocynaceae family. It is native to the Cape Provinces and Free State of South Africa and to southern Lesotho. The plant’s distinctive flower sits on a short stalk from the lower stem and has five petals that radiate outwards. In this species the petals are tightly folded, giving a thin, spike-like look that is matte or slightly glossy. The flower features a prominent central annulus that is hairless or only faintly pubescent, usually dark red-brown, with yellow edges around the corona disc. The central corona disc is typically dull red-brown or pale and smaller than the annulus, showing its edge.

There are two varieties: Duvalia caespitosa var. caespitosa and Duvalia caespitosa var. compacta. It has been described under other names in the past, including Ceropegia caespitosa and Stapelia caespitosa. Some consider Duvalia vestita to be a subspecies of D. caespitosa; vestita has slightly more spread-out lobes, a hairy and very dark red corolla, and occurs mainly in the southern Overberg region, often alongside D. caespitosa and D. elegans.

Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1).