This has to be one of the most unique and strange looking flowers I've ever seen.
I’m not sure where I got a cutting for this cactus like plant and was amazed one day to see a spectacular flower appear. It is called Stapelia Gigantea or Starfish Flower.
The starfish-shaped flower of the Stapelia Gigantea is a subdued yellow covered by miniature purple hairs.
The flowers can be 10 to 16 inches across and are fleshy and shaped like five pointed stars. The interesting thing about this plant is the way pollination occurs.
The center of the flower is fleshy and exudes a horrid smell!!
The flowers are known for their foul smell which resembles the odour of rotting meat. The fine hairs, colouration and surface mimic decaying animal matter and attract mostly flies, which act as pollinators. Before I knew the name of this plant, I called it the “shit” plant but it is also known as Carrion or Toad plant.
Stapelia Gigantea blooming at Harbour Club Villas
This Starfish Flower grows well in direct sunlight and has an interesting bud shape which opens to show a beautiful star like flower with tapering ends.
Marta