Stapelia hirsuta

Stapelia hirsuta
Stapelia hirsuta with flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Stapelia
Species: S. hirsuta
Binomial name
Stapelia hirsuta
L.

Stapelia hirsuta,[1] common name starfish flower or carrion plant, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Apocynaceae.[2][3]

Synonyms

Etymology

The genus epithet "Stapelia" was named in honour of Johannes van Stapel, who describet the first plant discovered, while the species name derives from the Latin “hirsutus”, meaning "hairy”.[4]

Description

Stapelia hirsuta crestata

Stapelia hirsuta has subquadrangular stems about 20 centimetres (7.9 in) high,[5] with flat, very hairy dark-red flowers resembling rotting meat. Corolla can reach a width of about 5–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in). The carrion smell serve to attract various pollinators, especially flies. The flowering period extends from late summer through late autumn. This species is extremely variable with various subspecies and many hybrids.[4]

Subspecies

[2]

Distribution ahd habitat

This species is endemic to South Africa (Cape Province) and southern Namibia.[4] It can be found in the mainly winter rainfall areas.[5]

References

  1. L., 1753 In: Sp. Pl. 217
  2. 1 2 Roskov Y., Kunze T., Orrell T., Abucay L., Paglinawan L., Culham A., Bailly N., Kirk P., Bourgoin T., Baillargeon G., Decock W., De Wever A., Didžiulis V. (ed) (2014). "Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2014 Annual Checklist.". Species 2000: Reading, UK. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  3. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World
  4. 1 2 3 Cactus Art
  5. 1 2 Plants Africa
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