stapelia

Stapelia L.

A genus overview; characteristics vary between its species.

Stapelias are clump-forming succulents whose thick stems do most of the visual work. The shoots may be rounded or sharply four-angled, smooth or hairy. Their tiny leaf rudiments are short-lived. Flowers arise near the bases of the stems, sometimes singly and sometimes several together. Kew: Stapelia, Flora Zambesiaca and Flora of Tropical East Africa

Wear stapelia: explore the botanical t-shirt

Botanical name

Stapelia L. is an accepted genus in Apocynaceae. This profile retains the genus; the seasonal example names Stapelia leendertziae specifically. Kew: Stapelia, Flora Zambesiaca and Flora of Tropical East Africa

Recognizing the plant

The fleshy corolla spreads into a star, a shallow cup, or occasionally a bell. Its lobes may be smooth or fringed with hairs. Paired, spindle-shaped fruits develop after fertilization. Many species imitate carrion through scent, colour and texture, but sweet-scented exceptions include S. erectiflora and S. flavopurpurea. Kew: Stapelia, Flora Zambesiaca and Flora of Tropical East AfricaSANBI PlantZAfrica: Stapelia

Seasonality across the genus

South Africa; Stapelia leendertziae example

SANBI records November–January flowering for the bell-flowered species Stapelia leendertziae. SANBI PlantZAfrica: Stapelia

Native range

The genus is native to southern tropical and southern Africa. Many species occur in dry regions on well-drained ground, although the genus occupies a wide variety of habitats. Kew: Stapelia, Flora Zambesiaca and Flora of Tropical East AfricaSANBI PlantZAfrica: Stapelia