TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Stapelia gigantea - video
Zulu Giant, Carrion Plant, Starfish FlowerFamily: Apocynaceae (Formerly:Asclepiadaceae)
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Stapelia gigantea
The star-shaped and ochre-yellow flowers make for an interesting addition to any garden and the plant's ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds is an added bonus.
The star-shaped and ochre-yellow flowers make for an interesting addition to any garden and the plant's ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds is an added bonus.
Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/stapelia_gigantea.htm
Starfish Flower, Giant Toad Flower, Carrion Flower. This spine-free succulent, Stapelia gigantea, is one of the plant world's giants and belongs to the milkweed family. It thrives in dry desert areas from Tanzania to South Africa. Its name "Carrion" comes from its unique scent that's similar to rotting meat, attracting pollinating flies who find the aroma irresistible. The standout feature of this plant is its large, fleshy star-shaped flowers, flaunting pale ochre-yellow petals with thin maroon lines. It blooms in the fall when daylight hours shorten. Despite its unusual smell, it makes for a stunning container plant with its 4-angled, succulent stems that grow upright to 8-12" before sprawling sideways. Plants in the ground can reach up to 24" wide. When it seeds, each pod looks like a mini milkweed parachute. Let's also appreciate its interesting background - the genus name honors Dutch physician Johannes Bodaeus van Stapel from the 1600s.
See video: Bizzare starfish flower - Stapelia gigantea.
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster
See video: Bizzare starfish flower - Stapelia gigantea.
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster
This item is certified for shipping to California, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona.