Origin and Habitat: Orbea baldratiiSN|30708]]SN|30708]] was originally found in a small area near Asmara in Eritrea and around Erkowit in the adjacent part of Sudan, but its range possibly extends also in Ethiopia, Yemen, Kenya and northern Tanzania. Orbea baldratiiSN|30708]]SN|30708]] ssp somalensis as the name suggests is found only in Somalia.
Type locality: Eritrea: near Asmara.
Altitude range: 900-2000 metres above sea level.

• Orbea baldratii (A.C.White & B.Sloane) Bruyns
• Angolluma baldratii (A.C.White & B.Sloane) Plowes
• Caralluma baldratii A.C.White & B.Sloane
• Pachycymbium baldratii (A.C.White & B.Sloane) M.G.Gilbert

• Orbea baldratii (A.C.White & B.Sloane) Bruyns
• Angolluma baldratii (A.C.White & B.Sloane) Plowes
• Caralluma baldratii A.C.White & B.Sloane
• Pachycymbium baldratii (A.C.White & B.Sloane) M.G.Gilbert

Description: Orbea baldratiiSN|28307]]SN|30708]] (formerly Caralluma baldratiiSN|30709]]SN|30709]]) is a most unusual perennial succulent of very free flowering habit. The flowers borne at the tips of the branches are five-pointed fleshy stars with very narrow, almost linear lobes, reddish with a paler centre and a reddish corona.
Habit: When not in flowers O. baldratii looks very like to Orbea decaisneanaSN|30708]]SN|28307]] subs. hesperidum and form lax clumps or mats that usually spreads by means of underground runners.
Stems: Fairly slender, 3-10 cm tall, 10-15 mm thick, sides somewhat furrowed, 4-angled, pale green with pallid reddish or brownish spots, the teeth conical, nearly horizonta, laterally compressed, 5–17 mm long, tip somewhat curved upward and acute.
Flowers: Solitary or several (up to 3) together at the tips of the branches, peduncle very short (almost sessile), pedicels 1–5 mm long. Corolla rotate to campanulate, ca. 28 mm in diameter, deeply lobed, minutely tuberculate, inside light mahogany-coloured, on distal half of lobes, becoming brownish to cream with small red spots in lower half and around gynostegium, minutely white haired,. Tube very shallow. Lobes, spreading to slightly reflexed, narrow, linear-lanceolate-acute with revolute margins, 2 mm wide, margins slightly spreading towards base of lobe. Corona 3–4 mm tall reddish. Outer corona-lobes short blackish purple to red, the part between anthers slightly shorter than the part behind anthers. Inner corona-lobes red, flattened apically usually with spreading dorsal teeth which are themselves toothed towards their apices, incumbent on and barely exceeding the anthers.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) John Hunter Thomas “Systematic Botany Monographs” American Society of Plant Taxonomists, 63: 65 2002
2) M. Gilbert, D. Goyder, J. Lavranos, S. Liede-Schumann, M. Thulin, and J. Venter. "Flora Somalia", Vol 3, (2006) [updated by M. Thulin 2008]
3) Fl. Pl. South Africa 26: t.1033 (1947).
4) Énum. Pl. Fleurs Afr. Trop. 4: (1997).
5) Hermann Jacobsen “Abromeitiella to Euphorbia” Blandford Press, 1960
6) Hermann Jacobsen “A Handbook of Succulent Plants: Descriptions, Synonyms, and Cultural Details for Succulents Other Than Cactaceae”, Volume 1 Blandford Press, 1960

Cultivation and Propagation: Orbea baldratiiSN|30708]]SN|30708]] is an easy blooming plant when mature that require moderately watering through the growing season but enjoy plenty of water and some fertiliser in hot weather, this helps them to flower freely. Water more sparingly in winter according to temperatures. But, as with most asclepiads, it is unwise to leave them wet in cold weather. Winter care presents no problems at 10°C with plenty of light. Since roots are quite shallow, use a cactus mix or add extra perlite or pumice to regular soil potting soil. A gritty, very free-draining compost is suitable, and clay pots help the plants to dry out between watering.
Sun Exposure: Partial sun or light shade
Pest and diseases: Orbeas vary in their susceptibility to rotting, but are generally fairly easy to grow, especially if kept pest-free. They are very susceptible to stem and root mealy bugs, and damage from these may well initiate fungal attack. If you do have problems with a stem or with basal rotting, you can reliably isolate the healthy parts, dry them off, and re-root them in moist compost.
Cultural Practices: Re-pot every 2 years
Propagation: Easiest with stem cuttings. Allow cuttings to dry a day before planting. Stems must be laid (Not buried) on gritty compost and will then root from the underside of the stems. It can also be increased from seeds sowing in spring in moist, sandy peat moss.
Potting medium: Since roots are quite shallow, use a cactus mix or add extra perlite or pumice to regular soil potting soil. A gritty, very free-draining compost is suitable, and clay pots help the plants to dry out between watering.