Origin and Habitat: Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa (Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal), Swaziland.
Altitudes: It occurs at low altitudes.
Habitat: Open dry scrubland, in stony areas, often in calcrete or hard loamy soils.

• Huernia zebrina N.E.Br.

• Huernia zebrina subs. insigniflora (C.A.Maass) Bruyns
• Huernia insigniflora C.A.Maass
• Huernia confusa E.Phillips

• Huernia zebrina subs. magniflora (E.Phillips) L.C.Leach
• Huernia zebrina var. magniflora E.Phillips
• Huernia blackbeardiae R.A.Dyer ex H.Jacobsen

Description: Huernia zebrinaSN|21240]]SN|21240]] (a.k.a. Owl eyes) is a low-growing perennial succulent species more or less creeping, occasionally forming mats. It is one of the most beautifully flowering huernias and very popular in cultivation for its odd blooms. It has a raised, glossy, wine-red ring or 'annulus' around the mouth of the corolla tube. The corolla varies in size and is usually patterned with wine-red zebra stripes which vary conspicuously in colour intensity. One of the so-called “lifebuoy” huernias because of the glossy raised annulus.
Stems: Deflexed-decumbent or decumbent-erect, laxly branched, tapering, prominently 5-(to 6) angled, and irregularly branching, 5 cm long, 12 mm in diameter and strongly toothed. Teeth 4,5 mm long.
Inflorescence: Few-flowered on a 12-14 mm long peduncle.
Flowers: The corolla is flat (25-)35-45(-50) mm across with a tube c. 6 mm in diameter and c. 7 mm deep, the prominent shiny annulus is glossy red to purple-brown, marked or unmarked, the 5 corolla lobes are acuminate c. 12 x 10 mm, greenish-yellow with red to purple cross-zebra-stripes; both sides glabrous. As with other plants of the genus, H. zebrina has a small intermediate lobe. Sepals 6-8 mm. Corona with inner lobes 2-4 mm tall, claw-like, incurved. Frequently the flowers are larger than the plant itself and emit the smell of carrion. The rotting flesh odour attracts flies who transfer the pollen as they search from flower to flower for the non-existent rotting meat.

Bibliography: Major refrerences and further lectures
1) Focke Albers, Ulrich Meve "Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Asclepiadaceae" Volume 4 Springer, 2002
2) A.C.White & B.Sloane “Stapelieae” ( White & Sloane) ed. 2 3: 855 Abbey San Encino Press, 1937
3) Luckhoff “The Stapelieae of Southern Africa” Capetown, A.A. Balkema 1952
4) Bruyns, P.V. 2005. “Stapeliads of southern Africa and Madagascar.” Vol. II. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
5) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/ago/2011
6) Gideon Smith, Neil R. Crouch “Guide to Succulents of Southern Africa” Struik Nature, 01/nov/2009
7) Doreen Court “Succulent Flora of Southern Africa” CRC Press, 01/giu/2000
8) Werner Rauh “The Wonderful World of Succulents: Cultivation and Description of Selected Succulent Plants Other Than Cacti” Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984
9) Fabian, A. & Germishuizen, G. "Wild Flowers of Northern South Africa." Fernwood Press, Vlaeburg. Pages 314 - 315. (Includes a picture).1997
10) Golding, J.S. (ed.) "Southern African Plant Red Data Lists." Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 14. SABONET. Pretoria. Page 171. 2002
11) Leach, L.C. "A Revision of Huernia R.Br. (Asclepiadaceae)" Excelsa Taxonomic Series No. 4 Aloe, Cactus and Succulent Society of Zimbabwe Pages 138 - 142. (Includes a picture). 1988
12) Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) "A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity" Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 21. 2004

Cultivation and Propagation: Huernia zebrinaSN|21240]]SN|21240]] isn't difficult to grow and flower. Both subspecies require a very draining substrate with a big portion of sharp sand or perlite or pumice. They need winter temperature over 10 °C and they need very careful watering during warm days. As with other stapeliads, the most dangerous diseases and pests are black rot and mealy bugs. The easiest way of propagation is by rooting stem cuttings or by sowing, if seeds are available. Half shade in Summer.