Has something died nearby? Is there decomposing meat? Nope, it’s just the stapelia plant! Find out why it smells like that and more!
Despite its large blooms, the first thing you’ll notice is not the colossal flower but the stench of death it produces! Why does this succulent smell so awful? Is it harmful to you? Learn the science behind this unusual trait of a plant!
Basic Info About Stapelia
Known commonly as the Starfish cactus, this succulent finds its origins in the deserts and shrublands of South Africa. The irony behind its name is that despite being called a cactus, it is not one. You can even grow it at home under partial shade and in a cactus-friendly substrate.
“Unusual” would be an understatement to describe this plant, as it has no leaves, a large compact cluster of four-angled stems, and one of the largest succulent blooms. These flowers blossom from buds that look like inflated balloons during late summer. They come in a wide variety of colors, usually ranging from red to purple.
But more than its physical aspects, the odor is its claim to fame. The flowers are malodorous and produce a stench of rotting meat.
Why Does Stapelia Produce a Horrid Smell
Most flowers produce a pleasant fragrance, but this plant does the exact opposite. The answer lies in the pollination process. Most other flowers are pollinated by insects like butterflies or bees that prefer sweet nectar. However, Stapelia needs flies to produce more plants. And as well all know, flies are attracted towards dead, decaying, and decomposing matter.
This plant mimics the smell that flies are drawn to in order to trick them into pollinating the plant. Their main target is the carrion flies, which are always in search of decaying meat to lay their eggs. That is why this succulent is also called the carrion flower.
This beautiful biological trait might seem disgusting to humans, but it is a very smart adaptation to ensure survivability for the plant.
Science Behind the Production of the Stench
We now know that the Stapelia produces a disgusting smell, but how does it do so?
The Starfish Cactus produces compounds like Putrescine, Cadaverine, and sulfur-containing substances, which closely resemble those made when protein in meat decays. The amalgamation of these compounds emits a smell like that of decomposing animal tissue and hence draws in the pollinators.
Is it Harmful for Humans?
Your facial expression might change due to the stench, but it does not physically harm you. Humans have naturally evolved to stay away from dead and decaying matter, as the concentration of bacteria and harmful germs is higher there. That is why we find such odors unpleasant.
The same trait applies to the smell of Stapelia blooms. So worry not, it is not toxic or dangerous to humans in any form; however, keeping it in an enclosed room may overwhelm you with the odor.
So now that you know the miraculous science behind the Stapelia plant, there is no need to worry about it harming you. You can simply admire its beauty and evolutionary traits from a distance if you do not like the stench. For a more hands-on approach, you can even grow it at home, but try keeping it in a well-ventilated area or an open porch.
If you are curious about any other plants in the succulent world, do let us know in the comment section, and we will clear all your clouds of confusion!
