Stapelia

Stapelia is a large genus of over 40 asclepiads from southern Africa. They have spineless, mostly upright, succulent stems.

The flowers, as many other asclepiad genera, smell rather bad, and use flies as pollinators. This genus has large star-shaped flowers that can exceed 8 inches in diameter (20 cm). The color varies from red to brown, often marbled, probably trying to deceive the flies with the look as well as the smell. All or part of the flowers are hairy.

Species and varieties
Stapelia gigantea (Carrion Plant)
Stapelia nobilis (Carrion Plant) synonym of Stapelia gigantea

© 2004 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved.