Another mystery plant to name?

Question

This plant was given to me by an elderly lady that didn't remember the name. What looks like a spiny succulent, is actually a four sided flaccid rope, with the feel of Ultra-suede. The blooms look like purple Maypops but soft like the rest of the plant. http://s186.photobucket.com/albums/x47/RScott-02/?action=view¤t=DSCN4162.jpg RScott

Answer 1

Stapelia Grandiflora
Hi i got a very near picture of it. See it in the link
http://www.cactuslimon.com/specialsubscriber.htm

Answer 2

I believe you have an excellent example of Starfish Cactus, Starfish Flower-- also known as Carrion Plant.

Further note:
A succulent is a plant that is able to store water in its leaves or stems, or in both areas.

That’s a simple definition for a very unique group of plants. In the process of adjusting to adverse growing conditions, these plants developed intriguing textures, colors, and beautiful shapes.

One thing you can always say about succulents is that they know how to conserve water. They have dramatically reduced their leaf surface area in order to cut down on water loss (plants lose moisture through their leaf pores). At the same time, they come up with excellent ways to store water in the leaves or stems when it happens to be available. They also developed big root systems so they can quickly absorb water when it is present. This gives these highly adapted species the ability to control the amount of water they actually use and the amount they need.

Succulents have also found other ways to minimize water loss. They often have protective coverings, such as scales, hairs, varnish, resin, or woody bark. Examples of these are the agaves, Dyckia, Fouquieria, and Yuccas.

Given all these facts, this means that all cacti are succulents, for they can certainly store water. It turns out that cacti are only one family among the succulents. All cacti are succulents, but all succulents aren’t cacti. This simple rule is often quoted to help people understand the relationship between these plants.

Most people know that cacti, which are succulents, have spines. However, some non-cactus succulents have prickles.

Answer 3

I think you are partially correct, Justoknow, I believe it is in the stapelia family, but from RScott's description it is not the grandiflora.

There are 50 members of the stapelia family and I'm going through each one. Hopefully I'll find it. Wish me luck, RScott.

Answer 4

Be very careful when handling that plant. It makes people age rapidly, and sucks their memory away from them. Give it to someone else as soon as possible.

Some young girl asked the same question a little while ago and this was my advice to her.

Answer 5

It is quite a common plant in Malaysia..Perhaps it belongs to the cactus family. It also looks like dragon fruit, native of south/central America.

Answer 6

It's a Chjristmas cactus
Title: Christmas Cactus
Details: 500 x 375 pixels - 94.7kB - JPEG By craigjam on Flickr
© All Rights Reserved.
It comes in different colors
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Dchristmas%2520cactus%2520plant%26rs%3D1%26fr2%3Dtab-web%26fr%3Dks-ans&w=500&h=375&imgurl=static.flickr.com%2F24%2F64747613_f218ececd9_m.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fcraigjam%2F64747613%2F&size=94.7kB&name=64747613_f218ececd9.jpg&p=christmas+cactus+plant&type=jpeg&no=20&tt=517&oid=41fff24edbe6df0e&fusr=craigjam&tit=Christmas+Cactus&hurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fcraigjam%2F&ei=UTF-8&src=p
http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigjam/64747613/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spablab/347988616/
Facts about Christmas Cactus
http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/giftflowers/flowersandoccassions/christmas-cactus
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Below is a Stepelia Grandiflora
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Asclepiadaceae/Stapelia_grandiflora.html

Answer 7

Good gravy, I have no idea!