Stapelia gigantea

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Plant
ID 1311 Stapelia gigantea
Botanic Name Stapelia gigantea
Common Name Carrion Flower, Starfish Flower, Giant Toad Plant
Family Name Asclepiadaceae
Cultivars syn. Stapelia nobilis
Origin Eastern and Southern Africa, Zone 9-11
Growth Type Cacti & Succulents
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 45
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Medium
Height 0.2 - 1 m (1 - 3 ft) Spread 1 m (3 ft)
Plant Overview
This clump forming succulent has upright fleshy 4 angled stems that are up to 30 mm (1 in) thick with teeth along the margins. The large foul smelling star-shaped flowers are yellowish with red centres and appear in summer and are a feature of the plant.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Acicular
The tiny acicular leaves are modified and appear on the tip of the flattened tubercle. The 4-angled reddish-green thickened stems themself photosynthesis and act as a leaves.
Arrangement
Margin Entire
Colour Dark green
Size 1 - 3 mm ( 0.0 - 0.1 in )
Flower
Perfume Foul smelling (Malodorous) Additional Information
Shape Stellate
The short-lived fleshy stellate flowers are pail yellow with transverse crimson lines and are covered in purplish hairs. The centre and underside is purplish-red and the petals are recurved. They appear solitary or in-groups of 5.
Inflorescence Solitary
Colour Red - yellow
Size 200 - 350 mm ( 7.9 - 13.8 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Follicle Additional Information
Colour Brown
The fruit consists of 2-small pubescent follicles that split longitudinally and contain numerous minute flattened seeds that are hairy to aid in wind dispersal. The seeds are viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Very well drained moderately fertile sandy to stony or loamy soil, dry-moist
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes, under glass in frost prone or cold climates
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun to semi shade, open position, drought tolerant and frost tender
Pest & Diseases Susceptible to mealybugs, black root rot
Fertiliser Not normally required, if container grown apply half strength liquid fertiliser annually
Pruning Not normally required, divide to contain during spring
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Carrion Flower is a low growing succulent that is used as a small groundcover or container plant. It is also planted in rockeries or planted along front garden borders. It establishes from division in 1 to 2 years and can spread indefinitely.
Sow fresh seeds during spring and maintain a temperature of 18 to 21 C (64 to 75 F). Take stem cuttings during summer placed in a very well drained media. Divide the clump during spring.
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