Stapelia grandiflora – Starfish Cactus, Carrion Flower

The Star Fish cactus flower, also known as carrion flowers, are cactus-like succulents with four-angled, coarsely toothed, spineless stems. Stapelia grandiflora is a low, perennial succulent; the stems, surface, and branching make them immediately recognizable. The stems are almost always erect and are usually uniformly green to reddish, depending on the extent of exposure to the sun. The stems branch near the base and form spreading clumps up to 2 ft tall; the stems are not much to look at, but the flowers are remarkable.

They are usually 3-10 inches across and usually flattened and shaped like five-pointed stars with a conspicuous round disk in the center. The fleshy petals are often fringed with tiny hairs. Flowers are colored with reds, yellows, browns, and purples, and many are spotted, barred, or mottled.

Carrion flowers are native to arid, usually rocky deserts in tropical and southern Africa, where they often grow in the partial shade of larger plants or rocks. Many of the species are confined to the Cape region of South Africa.  Starfish Cactus usually are grown in containers and given a distinct cool, dry rest period in winter and require bright light, but most should not have full sun in the summer. Many species do well in partial shade. Flowers do well with light to moderate watering during the growing season, but must be kept dry during the winter. The soil must be extremely well drained, as the stems are prone to rotting if they stay moist. They are very tolerant of extreme heat, but must be protected from frost.

Propagate from cuttings taken in spring or summer. Allow pieces of stem to callus  7-10 days, and then plant in semi-dry soil.