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Gonostemon hirsutus (L.) P.V.Heath
Calyx 1(1): 17 (1992)
Family: ASCLEPIADACEAE

Accepted Scientific Name: Stapelia hirsuta L. L.
Sp. Pl. 1: 217 (1753) L.

Gonostemon hirsutus (Stapelia hirsuta L.) Photo by: Raffa C. Garcia
The dark-red flowers smell like a carrion and are covered by long setae that remember the fur of a dead animal , this way they attract flies for pollination (sapromyophily). The flowers are densely shaggy (hirsute) at the centre. Purplish colour simulate the rotting flesh of dead animals. These flowers attract beetles and carrion flies who pollinate the plant as they are fooled into trying to lay eggs on the flower.

Synonyms:

See all synonyms of Stapelia hirsuta L.
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Accepted name in llifle Database:
Stapelia hirsuta L. L.
Sp. Pl. 1: 217 (1753)
Synonymy: 51
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Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Carrion Plant, Starfish Flower, African starfish flowers, Hairy stapelia

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Stapelia hirsuta group



10972 valentino Valentino Vallicelli
Gonostemon hirsutus (Stapelia hirsuta L.) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
22558 raffa Raffa C. Garcia
Gonostemon hirsutus (Stapelia hirsuta L.) Photo by: Raffa C. Garcia

10976 cactus-art Cactus Art
Gonostemon hirsutus (Stapelia hirsuta L.) Photo by: Cactus Art
10974 valentino Valentino Vallicelli
Gonostemon hirsutus (Stapelia hirsuta L.) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli

19071 giuseppe2 Giuseppe Distefano
Gonostemon hirsutus (Stapelia hirsuta L.) Photo by: Giuseppe Distefano
22700 raffa Raffa C. Garcia
Gonostemon hirsutus (Stapelia hirsuta L.) Photo by: Raffa C. Garcia

23116 luiza Luiza Ferreira
Gonostemon hirsutus (Stapelia hirsuta L.) Photo by: Luiza Ferreira
19070 giuseppe2 Giuseppe Distefano
Gonostemon hirsutus (Stapelia hirsuta L.) Photo by: Giuseppe Distefano

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by Cactus Art

by Valentino Vallicelli

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