Carrion / Starfish Flower

Photo © Bulleen Art & Garden

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A smelly beauty – Stapelia variegata

Coming from South Africa, the most common species of Stapelia is the carrion or starfish flower plant. It forms clumps of fleshy stems which can be green or grey-green, and are often reddish. The flowers are as big as 5-9cm wide and appear in late summer or early autumn. They are spotted yellow and brown. Perfect for the Hawthorn supporter in your life! They smell, just a little bit, of rotting flesh, which is VERY attractive to flies.

It is a plant that will grow well in a shallow wide pot, or used as a fascinating trailing plant. Grow it in sun or partial shade, in moderately fertile potting mix. They can be grown in free draining soil.