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Stapelia gigantea, N.E.Br.
Plant Family
Apocynaceae
Binomial Name
Stapelia gigantea
Synonymous Binomial Names
Gonostemon giganteus (N.E.Br.) P.V.Heath
Ceropegia gigantea (N.E.Br.) Bruyns
Stapelia nobilis N.E.Br.
Stapelia marlothii N.E.Br.
Stapelia youngii N.E.Br.
Stapelia cylista C.A.Lückh.
Common (Vernacular) Names
Carrion flower, giant carrion flower, giant stapelia, Zula giant, hairy toad plant, giant toadplant, star fish flower (Eng.); reuseaasblom, aasblom, duikershoring, haasoor (Afr.); ililo elikhulu, isihlehle, uzililo (isiZulu); bohatsu (Sesotho); tililo (SiSwati); bandaulu (TshiVenda) [SANBI 2022].
Plant Characteristics
Endemicity. This species is endemic to Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland (USDA 2010).
Growth Habit. A clump-forming succulent, growing up to 20 cm (8 in) tall, with erect green stems 3 cm (1.2 in) thick.
 Stapelia gigantea flower |
Flowers. The blooms are large star-shaped five-petaled flowers up to 25 cm (9.8 in) in diameter. The flowers are beige to tan with maroon striations, wrinkled, with a silky texture and fringed with hairs that can be as long as 8 mm (0.3 in). The flowers emit a strong odor similar to rotting meat to attract carrion flies, their pollinators. Flies have been observed laying eggs on the flowers.
Seeds. The seeds form in two capsules or “seed horns”. When these are mature the horns open releasing brown seeds with tufts of filaments (pappi) that allow them to be distributed by the wind as is typical of plants in this subfamily.
 Stapelia gigantea seed horns |
The seeds in the photo below have the pappi removed.
 Stapelia gigantea seeds |
Recommended Reference: Refer to the reference by the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI 2022) for more detailed information and photos of this species.
Conservation Status
This species is not listed threatened or endangered. The current conservation status of the species is Least Concern (LC), but plants in wild populations are becoming more scarce because they are extensively harvested for their medicinal and ornamental value (SANBI 2022).
CITES Listing: Stapelia gigantea is not found in the CITES appendices.
IUCN Listing: Stapelia gigantea is not listed by the IUCN.
Uses
This species is widely grown as a curiosity and ornamental plant. It has many cultural (magical) and medicinal uses in Africa (SANBI 2022).
Traditional Medicinal Uses. It is used as an emetic to treat hysteria, but also has analgesic and purgative effects. It is also used to treat pain of bruised skin by rubbing ash from burnt plants into wounds.
Traditional Cultural Uses. Crushed stems are used, mixed with various other plants, as a proactive charm and sprinkled on family members to protect them from the ‘pollution’ of visitors. This is also one of the species planted near home sites to ward off lightning.
Our Research Interest. Stapelia gigantea is closely related to the Hoodia species that are a primary focus of our research on anorectic plants. Corley and Miller (2002) patented the use of plant materials derived or derivable from at least one plant of the genera Stapelia and Orbea in the preparation of a pharmaceutical or nutritional formulations for suppressing or curbing appetite.
Cultivation
This plant is grown primarily in arid areas as a ground cover and as an ornamental potted plant worldwide.
Cultivation in Hawaii. This species was introduced to Hawaii prior to 1871. It is planted in xeriscape gardens and along rock gardens (Staples and Herbst 2005). Plants are grown in containers and in the ground at residences near us in Discovery Harbour, Hawai`i.
Propagation
Seeds. This species is easily grown from seeds.
Cuttings: The plant may be grown from cuttings rooted in water. They can take 1-2 months to root. Propagation from intact stem pieces with roots separated from the main plant is usually successful and faster.
Improved Cultivars
We are not aware of any improved cultivars of this species.
Pests and Diseases
Mealybugs. Like many other asclepiad species, Stapelia gigantea is highly susceptible to mealybug infestations in greenhouses or indoors. We have not observed this on plants grown outdoors where natural predators may be present.
Snails and Slugs. These pests attack many different native and imported plants in our area but avoid this species.
Black Fungus. The plants may become infected with anthracnose and sometimes this is associated with aphid or mealybug infestations.
Soft Rot. Plants are subject to various fungal and bacterial infections that cause soft rot when grown in prolonged wet conditions or poorly draining soil.
Invasiveness Potential
This species is naturalized or considered invasive in many island environments (PIER 2021). Its spreads easily by vegetative means and wind-blown seed. However, it has been assigned a Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) Score of 3, indicating low risk. It has been designated as a Pono Plant, a good choice for planting in Hawai`i (Plant Pono 2022).
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Global Invasive Species Database. This species was not found on the database (GISD 2022).
Now naturalized in Oahu (Wagner 1999), other major islands of Hawai`i. We have observed forming small clumps on steep grass-free road cuts along Highway 11 near Kailua-Kona, on Hawai`i island.
Herrera et al. (2016) studied the potential impact of this species on arid environments in northern South America and found that Stapelia gigantea can facilitate recruitment of nurse-dependent native taxa.
Toxicity and Precautions
In southern Africa the plants are apparently traditionally used as poison that may lead to death (SANBI 2022). We have not found published scientific references indicating that this species is poisonous. According to the ASPCA this species is not toxic to cats, dogs or horses (ASPCA 2022).
Plants and Seeds for Sale
Availability
Seeds. Small quantities of locally grown seeds are expected to be available from our online store in May 2022 after completion of germination testing.
Nursery Stock. We primarily grow this species for research purposes but may occasionally offer rooted cuttings for sale.
Shipping Information
Plants will be shipped bare root and cannot be shipped to the states of Arizona, California, Louisiana or Texas. Seeds can be shipped to all states.
References
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). 2022. Pet Care/Animal Poison Control/Toxic and Non-Toxic plants. Carrion Flower 2. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/carrion-flower-2. [Accessed 15 April 2022].
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Appendices I, II, and III valid from 22 June 2021. https://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php [accessed 16 April 2022].
Corley, DG Miller M. 2022. Plant derived or derivable material with appetite suppressing activity. U.S. Patent 7008648B2. https://patents.google.com/patent/US7008648 [Accessed 16 April 2022].
FWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 2022. Endangered Species Home. Search Endangered Species Database. https://www.fws.gov/endangered/ [accessed 16 April 2022].
GISD.(Global Invasive Species Database) 2022. Global Invasive Species Database (2022). Downloaded from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/search.php on 17-04-2022.
Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA). #### Year Accessed. Genus species. https://sites.google.com/site/weedriskassessment/home [accessed 20 October 2018].
Herrera I, Ferrer-Paris JR, Hernández-Rosas JI, Nassar JM. 2016. Impact of two invasive succulents on native-seedling recruitment in Neotropical arid environments. J. Arid Environments 132:15-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2016.04.007.
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). 2018. Version 2018-1. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. http://www.iucnredlist.org/search [accessed ## Month 2018].
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). 2022. Stapelia gigantea N.E.Br., Apocynaceae. http://www.hear.org/pier/species/stapelia_gigantea.htm [Accessed 29 January 2022].
Plant Pono. 2022. Stapelia gigantea (giant toadplant). https://plantpono.org/hpwra/stapelia-gigantea/ [Accessed 29 January 2022].
Staples, GW, Herbst, DR. 2005. A Tropical Garden Flora – Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.
USDA, 2010. USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi- bin/npgs/html/index.pl
Wagner, WL, Herbst DR, Sohmer SH. 1999. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Revised edition. University of Hawai‘i Press and Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, HI.
Page last updated 17 April 2022.