Piaranthus
(from piaros, fat, and anthos, a flower; alluding to the shape of the blossoms). ORD. Asclepiadeae. A genus comprising, perhaps, half-a-dozen species of greenhouse succulents, with low, deeply four-jointed stems, natives of South Africa. Flowers mediocre, often fasciculate; calyx small, five-parted; corolla campanulate, deeply five-cut, the lobes narrow, acuminate, valvate; corona lobes five, inflexed. The species have the general habit of Stapelia (which see for culture).
P. pullus (dark-flowered). fl. three or four together; corolla dark purple, the segments lanceolate, silky above, replicate. August. Branches usually hexagonal, erect; angles a little sinuated, having strong, spreading teeth. h. 6in. 1774. (B. M. 1648.)
P. geminatus (twin). The correct name of plant described in this work as Podanthes geminata.