Tridentea gemmiflora is one of our favorite stapeliads among many in our collection, mostly due to the showy display of large velvety black and golden yellow flowers. This species is a native to South Africa, and can be found in both summer and winter rainfall regions. It grows both exposed on sun-scorched rocks, the stems growing extremely compact and stressing a red-tinted gray, and among low-growing shrubs, with longer green stems protected from the sun. We’ve found that this plant prefers ample root space, and can develop a very extensive root system if given room to grow in a mineral-based media. They tend to suffer if underpotted, and may refuse to bloom. It’s advisable to protect this species from excessive rain, but it requires some water all year around, preferring more during the warm summer months.
