# Stapelia

Stapelia is a unique plant known for its giant, star-shaped flowers! The blooms can look like they are covered in fur.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Dry, tropical areas
- **Also known as:** Carrion Flower, Starfish Flower

![Stapelia](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425965/objects/5007.jpg)

## Appearance

The Stapelia has fleshy, four-angled succulent stems that are often green or reddish. Its most striking feature is its large, star-shaped flower, often covered in hairs, with intricate patterns of red, brown, and yellow.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Gentianales
- **Family:** Apocynaceae
- **Genus:** Stapelia

## Interesting facts

- Even though they smell bad, the flowers are completely harmless.
- Many Stapelia plants grow among rocks where few other plants can survive.
- Some Stapelia flowers can be as big as a dinner plate!
- Their star-shaped blossoms earned them the nickname "starfish flowers."

## Special abilities

- **Stench Siren:** Stapelia can release a foul, rotting smell that helps it attract specific flies for pollination.
- **Flesh Impersonator:** Stapelia has flowers that visually mimic decaying flesh, with hairy textures and mottled colors, to trick insect pollinators.
- **Water Wallet:** Stapelia can store water in its thick, succulent stems that helps it survive and thrive in dry, arid desert environments.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-30 cm
- **Spread:** 15-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 5-40 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall, sometimes year-round in warm climates
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Blue Bottle Fly (*Calliphora vicina*) — Attracted by foul odor to transfer pollen.
- **Pollinates:** Common Green Bottle Fly (*Lucilia sericata*) — Another important fly pollinator attracted by the scent.
- **Eaten by:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Snails can sometimes feed on the succulent stems.

## Traits

- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates.
- [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Stapelia?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Stapelia?

10-30 cm

### How wide does Stapelia spread?

15-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Stapelia?

5-40 cm

### When does Stapelia bloom?

Late summer to fall, sometimes year-round in warm climates

### Is Stapelia edible?

No

### Is Stapelia toxic?

None

### What is Stapelia's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Stapelia: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stapelia)