Carrion Flower Stapelia grandiflora
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Carrion Flower:
Previously known as:
- Ceropegia grandiflora
- Gonostemon grandiflorus
- Phonetic Spelling
- stah-PEEL-ee-ah gran-di-FLOR-ah
- Description
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The Starfish Cactus or Starfish Flower is a leafless, succulent herbaceous perennial from South Africa in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). Its native habitat is the desert or arid shrubland. It is a cactus-like plant and has large showy starfish-shaped flowers. Although the plant is called the Starfish Cactus, it is not a cactus.
This plant forms a large compact cluster of stems up to 1.75 feet in diameter. The stems are four-angled, erect, 4 to 12 inches long, and about 1 to 1.6 inches thick. They appear soft, velvety, pale green to reddish, and have upright hooked tubercles along the ridges. The tubercles are small protuberances, but they are not prickly. Its flowers bloom in late summer to fall at the base of the plant. The flower buds look like an inflated balloon, but when they open they are star-shaped flowers. Its flowers are large, 6 to 8 inches wide, flat, deeply lobed, starfish-shaped in shades of reddish-brown to purple. The flower is malodorous and smells of rotting meat which makes them attractive to flies. The flies pollinate the flowers, then long, thin seed pods or follicles are produced. The seeds are very slow to ripen and may take up to 1 year. Upon maturity, the pods open. The seeds are attached to silky-like plumes that are scattered by the wind.
The Starfish Cactus thrives in full sun to partial shade, but it prefers partial shade in very hot climates. Select a growing medium that is recommended for cacti or succulents that will drain well and has a neutral pH. Well-drained soil is required and overwatering needs to be avoided. It is best to allow the growing medium to dry out between waterings. This plant is winter hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. If planted outdoors, be sure to bring it inside before temperatures drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant likes to be rootbound; therefore, repotting may be needed about every 2 to 3 years.The plant may be propagated by seeds or stem cuttings.
The Starfish Cactus requires minimal care. Consider this plant as an ornamental for a table, window sill, or hanging plant. If planted outdoors, consider planting in rock garden or succulent garden. It is drought and poor soils tolerant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Mealybugs are the main pest for succulent plants. Monitor for mealybugs, stapeliad snout beetles, and aphids. Overwatering that can result in root rot and rotting stems. If the odor from the flowers is intolerable indoors, some gardeners recommend moving the plant outdoors during the summer months during blooming.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Cristata'
Fleshy, fine hairs, grayish-green stems, starfish flowers are 9 in. across, lobes are yellow & purple with pinkish-purple tips
- 'Cristata'
- 'Cristata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Cristata'
Fleshy, fine hairs, grayish-green stems, starfish flowers are 9 in. across, lobes are yellow & purple with pinkish-purple tips
- 'Cristata'
- 'Cristata'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Stapelia
- Species:
- grandiflora
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Africa
- Distribution:
- Native: Cape Provinces, Free State, Lesotho, and Northern Provinces; Introduced: India
- Wildlife Value:
- Malodorous flowers attract flies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are twin seed horns or follicles. The seeds are very slow to ripen, and it may take up to 1 year. When mature the pods open, and the seeds are attached to silky-like plumes that are scattered by the wind.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Its flowers are large, 6 to 8 inches wide, flat, deeply lobed, starfish-shaped in shades of reddish-brown to purple. The center of the flower has long purple hairs, and the petals are covered with long white hairs. The flowers are malodorous and attract flies.
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Leaves:
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The plant is essentially leafless.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are thick, fleshy, finely hairy, and pale green to reddish. They are 4-angled and erect, or decumbent with tubercles that are widely spaced. The stems grow up to 12 inches long and 1.6 inches thick.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Malodorous