Stapelia grandiflora

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Stapelia grandiflora
Stapelia grandiflora 22102013 1 (10606394434).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Stapelia
Species:
S. grandiflora
Binomial name
Stapelia grandiflora
Masson [1]
Synonyms [1] [2]
  • Stisseria grandiflora(Masson) Kuntze
  • Gonostemon grandiflorus(Masson) P.V.Heath
  • Ceropegia grandiflora(Masson) Bruyns
  • Stapelia flavirostrisN.E.Br.

Stapelia grandiflora is a species of flowering plant in the genus Stapelia of the family Apocynaceae. [1] It is commonly referred to as the carrion plant, starfish flower, giant toad plant, or starfish cactus, although it is not related to cacti at all. [3] This "carrion plant" nickname can also refer to similar Stapelia species as well as members of related genera, including Stapelia gigantea and Orbea variegata . Stapelia grandiflora sometimes also goes by the name of Stapelia flavirostris. [2] [3] The plant is native to South Africa, including the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Free State. [4]

Contents

Description

This plant is a very variable species, with many hybrids. [4] The stems can be either erect or ascending 9-10 (-30) cm long and up to 3 cm in diameter (usually less than 2 cm). [4] The flowers are velvety and smaller in size than those of Stapelia gigantea , they come in various shapes and colors. [4] Flowers are intermittently produced in the late summer and fall seasons. [4]

The name "carrion plant" is due to the odor emitted by the flowers as a technique of attracting flies in areas where other pollinating insects are scarce. [5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Stapelia grandiflora". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Stapelia flavirostris". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Stapelia grandiflora (Giant Toad Plant, Starfish Cactus)". World of Succulents. 2015-05-29. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Stapelia grandiflora". www.llifle.com. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
  5. ↑ "Inventing Your Garden: Fragrant plants for Southwest Florida". The News-Press. Retrieved 2018-11-12.


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