Stapelia asterias

Succulent, clumping species. Erect stems 10-25 cm long, 1.4-2 cm in diameter, slightly downy, pale green or reddish with erect hooked tubercles. Basal, starfish-shaped flowers, 7-11 cm in diameter, very deeply lobed, dark red-purple in colour. Lobes ovate, acuminate, wrinkled, revolute, reflexed and densely covered with sparse, short purplish hairs, the marginal ones much longer. The flowers have a rotting meat odour and are very attractive to flies that pollinate them. Plants flower intermittently from late summer to autumn. Native species of the Little Karoo (Cape Province, South Africa). Requires very well-drained soil and a semi-shaded position. Water every 10-20 days from March to October but leave completely dry in winter. Not hardy. Cutting, bare root plants or potted plant.