The hundred or so species of Stapelia (carrion flower, starfish flower), similar to a cactus, are all quite short and branch up from their base. Until they flower they look a bit like cacti with grey-green, velvety stems six to eight inches long. Their star-shaped flowers (which sometimes smell like rotting meat) and the seeds, with the silky hairs attached, help identify stapelias as members of the milkweed family.

Stapelia. See more pictures of cacti.

Though they prefer bright light, they can sunburn in hot summer sun. They are shallow rooted and do not care to be crowded. The soil should have excellent drainage. Do not overwater -- drench and then let dry between waterings.

In the winter, water only enough to keep the plants from shriveling. They grow easily from seed; the shoots, cut off at the thinnest part, will root easily.

Cactus Profiles

Aeonium	Melocactus
Agave	Mountain Cereus
Alluaudia procera	Nananthus schoonesii
Calibanus hookerii	Rat Tail Cactus
Crassula	Rebutia
Echeveria	Sedum
Elephant Bush	Senecio
Eulychnia saint-pieana	Spider Cactus
Ferocactus	Stapelia
Foxtail Asparagus Fern	Tephrocactus
Gasteria	Torch Cactus
Haageocereus chrysacranthus	Trichodiadema olearea
Holiday Cactus	Yucca
Kalanchoe

Learn how to care for cactus plants:

• Cactus Care
• Light Requirements of Cactus Plants
• Water and Humidity Requirements of Cactus Plants
• Temperature Requirements of Cactus Plants
• Fertilizing Cacti
• Preventing Cacti Pests and Diseases
• Potting Cactus Plants
• Propagating Cacti
• Arranging Cactus Plants
• House Plants
• Gardening