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Stapelia gigantea ::
The Carrion Flower,
Star Fish Flower, or Giant Zulu
Stapelias are
strange succulent plants native to the deserts of South Africa. The extremely
large, starfish-shaped flowers of Stapelia gigantea are pale yellow with
reddish stripes.
The flowers give
off a pestilent smell that attracts flies. As they buzz from flower to flower,
flies collect pollen and transport it to the next plant, thereby ensuring the
successful pollination of this species. The flower’s putrid smell and hairy,
leathery texture mimic the rotting flesh of a dead animal.
(click for large image)
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