Stapelia gigantea

Stapelia gigantea
Stapelia gigantea

Common names: giant stapelia, giant carrion flower, carrion flower (English); ililo elikhulu, isihlehle, uzililo (Zulu); bohatsu (Sotho); reuseaasblom, aasblom, duikershoring, haasoor (Afrikaans). 
Botanical name: Stapelia gigantea

The giant carrion flower, Stapelia gigantea, is a succulent plant with larg flowers up to 40 cm across. The flowers smell of rotting flesh and attract flies for pollination. The plant has many medicinal and cultural uses, such as treating hysteria, pain, and lightning strikes. It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and containers, where it can withstand drought and heat. It is native to southern Africa and grows in arid and rocky habitats. It is easy to propagate by seed or cuttings.

Uses & Benefits: magical, poison, pot plant, water-wise, wildlife, wind tolerant

All Plant Profiles

Nature & Cultivation

Family: Apocynaceae
Type: ground cover, succulent
Vegetation type:  
Flower colour: red
Flowering season: 
Plant-animal interactions: 
Red list status:

Light-level:
Soil type: 
Soil pH: 
Propagation: 

Use as Medicine

Safety:

Herbal traditions: 
Plant parts used: 

First-aid use:  
Medical use:  
Veterinary use:  

Plant qualities: 
Plant actions: 
Phytochemical constituents: 

Plant preparations: 

Related Products

Related Courses

No items found

Resources