Color In Nature: Stapeliads

From the harsh arid regions of South Africa and reaching to some areas of Southern Europe color inspiration can be found in the beauty of the Stapeliads. Resembling cacti, Stapeliads are most abundant in warm, dry climates. ” Their stems are often angular, mostly four-angled in cross-section, but in some species there are six or more, with some species of Hoodia having more than thirty angles. In size they vary from less than 2.5 cm/1″ in length to over 2 m/6″ tall. The leaves are in most species reduced to rudiments, sometimes hardened and thorn-like, arranged on bumps or tubercles on the angles.”

Below is a stunning set of images of Stapeliads taken by Martin Heigan, plus a few other random flowers as well.

The Many Kinds and Colors of Stapeliads

Orbea Speciosa

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Orbea Speciosa
Tromotriche Longii

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Tromotriche Longii
Cotyledon Orbiculata

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Cotyledon Orbiculata

Stapelia Hirsuta

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Stapelia Hirsuta
Duvalia Corderoyi

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Duvalia Corderoyi
Tridentea Gemmiflora

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Tridentea Gemmiflora
Stapelia Glanduliflora

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Stapelia Glanduliflo
Tromotriche Longipes Flower on Faucaria Tigrina (Tiger’s Jaw)

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Tromotriche Longipes
Stapelia Gigantea X Stapelia Hirsuta Hybrid Flower

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Stapelia Gigantea
Stapelia Flavopurpurea

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Stapelia Flavopurpur
Stapelia Hirsuta

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Stapelia Hirsuta
Duvalia Caespitosa

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Duvalia Caespitosa
Huernia Procumbens

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Huernia Procumbens
Huernia Clavigera X Huernia Pillansii Hybrid

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Huernia Clavigera

A Few Other Colorful Flowers

Plumeria

 

Photo by malfalfa

Plumeria
Pastel Flowers

 

Photo by annia316

Pastel Flowers
Passion Flower (aka Clock Flower)

 

Photo by hamed

Clock Flower
Gazania

 

Photo by Martin Heigan

Gazania
Milkweed

 

Photo by ozyman

Milkweed
Author: evad
David Sommers has been loving color as COLOURlovers' Blog Editor-in-Chief for the past two years. When he's not neck deep in a rainbow he's loving other things with The Post Family (http://thepostfamily.com/), a Chicago-based art blog, artist collective & gallery.