Stapelia hirsuta
Family: Apocynaceae
Common names: carrion flower, aasblom.
It is native to the summer rainfall areas of South Africa. This bizarre plant produces a huge, star-shaped flower reaching 17cm across! The stems are up to 200 mm high, with flowers 100-200 mm across. The flowers are cream-coloured, purple at the centre, with purplish transverse lines on the lobes which have purple-brown tips. The corona, flower size, proportions of the corolla, density and texture of hairs, and details of patterning and colour, all vary within wide limits.
Sowing instructions: Sow seed in spring in a well-drained, light, sandy soil mixed with compost and cover with a thin layer of soil. Keep the temperature at 25-35 °C, in a shaded and fairly moist position. Keep plants well ventilated and in good light to prevent damping off.
Locality: Wellington. Harvest: October 2024