Genus name honors Dutch physician Johannes Bodaeus van Stapel (1602-1636). Plants in Hawaii have escaped gardens (they spread easily by vegetative means and wind-blown seed) to the point where the plant is now considered in Hawaii to have invasive potential. Seed pods resemble milkweed and each individual seed has a milkweed-like parachute. Plants in the ground may grow to 24" wide. Spineless, 4-angled, succulent stems grow upright to 8-12" tall before scrambling sideways with the tips still erect. Flowers are pollinated by flies which reportedly find the carrion aroma irresistible. Flowers bloom in fall (flower buds are triggered by shortened daylight hours in fall). This is one of the largest flowers in the plant world. The focal point of this plant is the fleshy, 5-pointed, star-shaped flowers (to 10-16" across), each being pale ochre-yellow with thin transverse maroon lines. For those willing to look the other way on flower aroma, additional common names include giant toad flower or starfish flower. Common name comes from the malodorus flower aroma which resembles the smell of rotting meat. It has a smooth, pale green stem most vines have woody stems. It is a vine, up to 10' (3 m) long, with curling tendrils that grasp nearby plants.
Identification: Smooth carrion flower has a number of striking characteristics, so you aren’t likely to confuse it with other plants. Alternately, you can also spray the plant with an insecticide to get rid of bugs and rots.Stapelia gigantea, commonly called carrion flower, is a spine-free succulent member of the milkweed (not cactus) family that is native to dry desert areas from Tanzania to South Africa. Smooth carrion flowers are North American natives. You will have to cut off these dark parts in case you notice an infestation. You will be able to identify this right by seeing dark spots on the stems. Overwatering can lead to rot in the stem of the cactus. The plant will change in appearance in case the sunlight is not sufficient. If the plant remains supple, glossy and green with deep red flowers, it is a sign that the plant is getting the desired sunlight. However, make sure you do not expose it to direct sunlight because it can make it susceptible to rot and disease. You should choose a place for these succulents that receives bright, indirect sunlight. Huernia plants demand proper lighting to grow well. As soon as you enter the fall and winter season, you can stop spraying the plants with fertilizers as they are going to be dormant anyway. Make sure to fertilize the plant once every month using a light fertilizer. The growing summer months demand some fertilization. During winters, the plant goes into dormancy and you can get by easily by watering it just once a month. In the summer season, water the plant only when the top layer of the soil looks crusty and dry. Huernia does not like to be too wet and hence, you need to water it sporadically. Watering the succulent just right is the key to its growth. A cactus potting mix works well for Huernia because it supports good drainage and keeps the succulent healthy and happy. Unglazed pots work well because they do not keep the moisture trapped.
You need to go for soil and pot that have good drainage if you are looking to nurture Huernia at home. It is a creeper that is easy to grow and as long as you take care of the basics, it will thrive. Don’t let its stunning beauty deceive you into thinking that it is a high-maintenance plant. The Huernia or the lifesaver cactus, as it is commonly called is a beautiful succulent you need to get home.
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