Carrion Flower

Stapelia is a genus of low-growing, leafless succulents in the family Apocynaceae, native to arid grasslands and rocky slopes of South Africa and Namibia. The plants form clumps of thick, angled, hairy stems that photosynthesize in the absence of true leaves. The genus is celebrated for its spectacular flowers: large, five-pointed, star-shaped blooms 5–30 cm across, covered in fine hairs and patterned with red-brown and yellow banding. These flowers mimic the appearance and odor of carrion to attract blowflies as pollinators—an adaptation that results in an unpleasant smell during flowering. For this reason, blooming plants are best kept outdoors. Despite the odor, the flowers are among the most visually striking in the succulent world, drawing considerable collector interest. Plants grow 10–30 cm tall, prefer bright light with protection from intense midsummer sun, and are propagated easily by stem cuttings.

Moderate watering