Unusual, and stinky, flowers

Stapelia, the Carrion Flower, is a very interesting plant, both to grow as a houseplant, and to see it bloom.

The plant itself is a simple looking green cluster of stems, with no leaves, but distinctive clusters of soft needles.

stapelia

These emerge in a pattern of small groups, mostly on the edges of the four cornered stems.

The rare flowers are spectacular, some in dark red shades to resemble blood, others with squiggly lines or markings.

In a strange quirk, the flowers themselves actually emit the odor of rotting meat, which attracts pollinating insects to transfer the pollen to other related flowers blooming at the same time.

The genus originally contained several species which have since been transferred to Huernia at various times since the discovery of these plants in South Africa.

Stapelia-many-years

The residents in some villages in their native habitat eat these plants after boiling them, and from all accounts, they’re quite palatable.

As they grow easily on rock walls used for keeping out livestock, this allows the farmer to utilize every scrap of land for some kind of crop or another.

See more about Stapelia here…

Each link goes to another page about Stapelia submitted by other visitors…

thumb_star-plant

STAR PLANT
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT NAME IS, BUT IT IS BEAUTIFUL

thumb_black-and-white-bloom-on-long-tier-succulent-plant

Black and White Bloom on Long tier succulent plant
A friend’s neighbor who has this plant does not even know what type of succulent plant this is… but my friend got the photo of the plant and the beautiful …

thumb_velvet-soft-thick-stems

velvet soft thick stems
velvet soft but thick stems. grows in clumps as it seems. and just now after 4 years bloomed a huge star shaped flower, sort of translucent with fine brown …

thumb_my-prehistoric-succulant

my prehistoric succulant
Would like to know the name of this plant Hi Suzette, this is a Stapelia; find out more about them here: Carrion Flower

thumb_10-years-no-flowers-now-look-what-its-about-to-do

10 years no flowers, now look what it’s about to do!
I have had this succulent in a pot for over ten years. It hasn’t bloomed before last year. It’s about to do it again for the second year in a row. When …

thumb_tall-slender-mystery-plant

Tall, Slender mystery plant
I received these plants as a present. The one I’m curious about is a tall slender plant that is green with purple-ish tips. I would really like to know …

thumb_ridged-fleshy-crawler-finger-diameter

Ridged, fleshy crawler, finger diameter
Bought plant at a sale last year, but tag was lost in transplanting. Picture showed drooping flowers, light in color. Owner described scent as similar …

thumb_green-flowers-with-purple-spots

green flowers with purple spots
I have a plant, I believe it is succulent, and it is going to die if I don’t get some help identifying it and what it needs. Please help! I have attached …

thumb_unidentified-gift

Unidentified Gift
This succulent? was given to me as a gift. It’s habit is prostrate. It is square with nubs growing up it. The nubs are alternate to the edge next to it, …

thumb_tubular-with-small-spikes-21592794

tubular with small spikes
anyone know what it is? Drought Smart Plants reply; I know! I know! It’s some type of Huernia based on the growth habit, but until it flowers, …

thumb_star-like-flower

star like flower
It has thick spikes and a flower that opens into a star like shape. The edges of the stalks have round bumps on the edges. Drought Smart Plants …

thumb_columnar-succulent-from-home-depot

Columnar Succulent from Home Depot
I saw this a few weeks ago at Home Depot and had to get it–I’ve looked all over the internet but had trouble getting an ID. It has three columns, each …

thumb_succulent-cutting

Succulent cutting
When I received this succulent as a cutting it was purple and a long vine type of plant. Once potted it turned green and had some new growth. It flowered …

thumb_what-kind-of-succulent-is-this

What kind of succulent is this?
Please help me identify this succulent plant. I have gotten this from a relative as part of a larger plant. I think an image says more than a thousand …

thumb_houseplant-with-quite-unusual-flowers

Houseplant with Quite Unusual Flowers.
The flower is about 2 inches in diameter. Drought Smart Plants reply: Hi Christopher, That is an amazing flower! It looks like you have a Stapelia, …

thumb_i-have-a-succulent-ive-had-for-many-years-but-this-is-the-first-year-its-ever-bloomed

I have a succulent I’ve had for MANY years but this is the first year it’s ever bloomed
It’s “branches” look sort of like a pickles but cactus like notches. The buds remind me of Audry, the plant from “little shop of horrors”. When …

thumb_cant-figure-this-one-out-please-help

Can’t figure this one out – please help!!
I need to replace the plant in the back of the picture (watering issues) and I can’t figure out what it is. Can you please help? Thanks!!