Quaqua
The genus Quaqua falls within the tribe of plants known collectively as stapeliads. All stapeliads, including Quaqua, are Old World stem succulents.
Species of the genus Quaqua are exceptionally varied and endemic to southwestern Africa, and locally very common in Namaqualand.
Description
Species of Quaqua are usually characterised by having stout, firm, 4 or 5-sided stems bearing conical tubercles which often have a tough, tapering spike at their ends. A few species lack the spikes or have smoothly rounded tubercles.Quaqua flowers are distinctive from those of other southern African stapeliads for their numerous inflorescences emerging from each stem, especially closer to the ends. There are often ten along each stem, vertically arranged in distichous series.
The flowers of some species are sweet smelling, attractive and rather small. The flowers of other species however, are larger, reaching a maximum diameter of 27 mm and are dark, papillate, and usually have a repulsive odor of urine or excrement. These species are pollinated by flies.
Distribution
In distribution, the genus Quaqua is restricted to the western region of South Africa & Namibia. Its distribution closely mirrors that of related genus Tromotriche.Species
Plants of the World Online as of recognizes the following species:| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
| Quaqua acutiloba Bruyns | South Africa and Namibia. | |
| Quaqua albersii Plowes | South Africa | |
| Quaqua arenicola Plowes | South Africa | |
| Quaqua arida Plowes | South Africa | |
| Quaqua armata Bruyns | South Africa | |
| Quaqua aurea Plowes | South Africa | |
| Quaqua bayeriana Plowes | South Africa | |
| Quaqua cincta Bruyns | South Africa | |
| Quaqua framesii Bruyns | South Africa | |
| Quaqua incarnata Bruyns | South Africa and Namibia. | |
| Quaqua inversa Bruyns | South Africa | |
| Quaqua linearis Bruyns | South Africa | |
| Quaqua mammillaris Bruyns | South Africa and Namibia. | |
| Quaqua multiflora Bruyns | South Africa | |
| Quaqua pallens Bruyns | South Africa | |
| Quaqua parviflora Bruyns | South Africa | |
| Quaqua pillansii Bruyns | South Africa | |
| Quaqua pruinosa Bruyns | South Africa | |
| Quaqua pulchra Plowes | South Africa | |
| Quaqua ramosa Bruyns | South Africa |
The species of this genus can be divided into two main groups, based on their floral structure: One group bears flowers singly or in pairs; the other bears flowers in clusters of between 4 and 20.
The species of the second grouping can in turn be divided into two sections: One with purple to dark-brown flowers that are wider than 25mm ; the other with yellow to cream flowers that are narrower than 25mm.