I.D. this Puppy

[Gary]

A test for you botanist types.
(iPhone image)

[elsa hoffmann]

While I know squat about plants - I am wondering if this isn't the African starfish flower or carrion flower,  genus Stapelia?

[Gary]

While I know squat about plants - I am wondering if this isn't the African starfish flower or carrion flowers, member of the genus Stapelia?

LOL ... not bad for person who doesn't know squat about flowers. You should also note that it is considered to be included in a group of nine of the worst smelling flowers in the world.

[elsa hoffmann]

haha Gary  yes I am aware of that - and no I wont try to see if it is true.

[Gary]

I had no idea it was carrion plant. I just saw this huge bloom that looked ... hungry. Interestingly enough, the sales people at the nursery never mentioned the fragrance.

It finally bloomed today. After a bit I noticed beaucoup flies zeroing in on the bloom. I'm thinking, that's odd ... I bet that flower smells like crap.  So I stick my nose in the sucker and yep ... a better name should have been "Deadfish Flower", not "Starfish Flower". 

[armando_m]

Lol, and you purchased it ...

so the room smells like teenager's tennis shoes?

[elsa hoffmann]

must be good for something .... does it keep the in-laws away?

I once attended a talk about carnivorous plants - MOST interesting - therefor I recognised it somewhat

[Gary]

Lol, and you purchased it ...

so the room smells like teenager's tennis shoes?

It is outside ... it smells more like the meat drawer in a single man's frig, than a locker room.

Had I know it was in the group of nine worst smelling plants ... I would have purchased two.   

[Gary]

must be good for something .... does it keep the in-laws away?

I once attended a talk about carnivorous plants - MOST interesting - therefor I recognised it somewhat

Dunno about in-laws yet, just got the thing. But flies absolutely love it. At any one time there are about five flies crawling about and others buzzing about tracking the fragrance. It was by a sliding door ... I moved it to the BBQ patio. It is a great conversation piece.  It isn't carnivorous, it uses the smell of rotting meat to attract polleneers, in this case, that would be flies. Carnivorous attract, trap and consume insects to augment their 'diet' in nutrient poor soil (not energy).