stapelia

[ stuh-pee-lee-uh ]

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Stapelia, of the milkweed family, native to southern Africa, having short, fleshy, leafless stems, and flowers that are oddly colored or mottled and in most species emit a fetid, carrionlike odor.

stapelia

/ stəˈpiːlɪə /

noun

1. any fleshy cactus-like leafless African plant of the asclepiadaceous genus Stapelia, having thick four-angled stems and large typically fetid mottled flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of stapelia¹

1775–85; < New Latin, after J. B. van Stapel (died 1636), Dutch botanist; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of stapelia¹

C18: from New Latin, named after J. B. van Stapel , (died 1636), Dutch botanist

Example Sentences

So the putrid smell of the stapelia, or carrion-flower, allures the large flesh-fly to deposit its young worms on its beautiful petals, which perish there for want of nourishment.

From Project Gutenberg