Origin and Habitat: NE Africa. (Sout Ethiopia, Somalia)
Habitat and ecology: This species has been seen growing with Caralluma speciosaSN|18000]]SN|18000]] and Sarcostemma viminaleSN|27584]]SN|27584]].

• Echidnopsis montana (R.A.Dyer & E.A.Bruce) P.R.O.Bally
• Caralluma montana R.A.Dyer & E.A.Bruce

Description: Echidnopsis montanaSN|30428]]SN|30428]] is a low, perennial succulent that spread over the ground forming cushions. Flowers are five-pointed fleshy stars produced in late Summer or Autumn.
Taxonomy: E. montana was originally described and named at a time when the few known species of Echidnopsis had a round corolla with short, broadly triangular lobes. The similarity of the long, linear, deeply divided corolla lobes of this species with those of Caralluma framesii and Caralluma baldratii led Dyer and Bruce to describe it as a Caralluma, but with out present knowledge of Echidnopsis, it is evident that the plant belongs to that genus.
Stems: Cylindrical, procumbent, rooting from the bases, usually with runners, to 20 cm long and 7-15 mm thick, 6-angled. Tubercles 1-3 mm hight, 4-angled.
Leaves: Ovoid-triangular less than 1.5 mm long, falling early, not erect.
Flowers: Corolla greenish yellow or purplish brown with greenish yellow, slightly thickened tips. Lobes more than 3 times as long as broad at base, hairless, linear. Corona 2.5 mm across, pentagonal to circular, outer lobes whitish spotted with purple, forming usually a deep cup with narrow expanse of tissue at mouth, inner face with long white hairs.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) 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 August 2011
2) Focke Albers, Ulrich Meve “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Asclepiadaceae: Asclepiadaceae” Volume 4 Springer Science & Business Media, 2002
3) P.R.O.Bally “Echidnopsis montana” in Cactus and Succulent Journal of Great Britain, Volume 26 page 89, 1964

Cultivation and Propagation: Echidnopsis montanaSN|30428]]SN|30428]] is an easy obliging blooming plant, which is happy in any average succulent house. This plant is common to warrant any description, let it suffice to say that this plant is easy to grow and flower, and one which will tolerate most soils and growing conditions.
Soil: 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.
Watering: They 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.
Hardiness: Winter care presents no problems at 5-10°C with plenty of light.
Sun Exposure: Partial sun or light shade.
Pest and diseases: They are generally fairly easy to grow, especially if kept pest-free. They are 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. Barely cover seeds.