Stapelia gigantea N.E. Br.

Carrion flower, Zulu giant

Carrion flowers are so named because their flowers emit an odor reminiscent of a rotting carcass, attracting flies that pollinate it. It is a native of South Africa, not found in the wild in North America.

Plants: Stapelia gigantea is a succulent that resembles cacti, but it is not a member of the cactus family. Its stems are glossy dark green, four-sided, looking like a four-pointed star in cross-section, ¾–1½″ (1.9–3.8 cm) around. Plants are 6–12″ (15–30 cm) tall. Stem growth may be upright or more random in direction, with only stem tips upright. Stems are green, turning red or tinged with red in direct sunlight. There are no spines, but there are regular nubs along the stems.

Leaves: There are leaves, but they are minute scales.

Flowers: If you are lucky enough to see this plant flowering, the flowers are truly amazing. They are bold five-pointed stars, cream-colored, enormous in proportion to the rest of the plant, 10–16″ (25–40 cm) across. Wavy red lines form a series of broken concentric circles on the flower, and coarse white hairs are present. The red lines can appear thicker and purpler, making the entire flower look purple. Overall, the flowers resemble a fat, all-devouring starfish. The odor for which the plant is named is certainly present, but not strong enough to be disagreeable. Flowers most often appear from mid to late summer.

Fruits: Seed pods resemble those of milkweeds, and the seeds inside are equipped with their own parachutes, also like milkweeds. Pods are up to 12″ (30 cm) long and about ⅞″ (2.5 cm) in diameter.

Habitats: Tropical, arid, with light shade.

Online References:

Older scientific or horticultural names

Stapelia gigantea description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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