Stapelia gigantea - Zulu giant

Stapelia gigantea, also known as zulu giant, is a fascinating succulent from the family of Apocynaceae. Originally native to the dry regions of South Africa, it is primarily known for its huge, striking flowers, which exude an intensive smell of rotten meat. This unusual fragrance grade is used to attract aa flies, which act as pollinators. Stapelia gigantea is not only of interest in botany, but is also very popular with succulent lovers due to their bizarre and at the same time attractive appearance.

Morphology

Stapelia gigantea is a succulent plant with fleshy, stem -like drives that usually do without leaves. The plant forms thick tufts of several drives, which become about 15 to 20 centimeters high and have a blue-green to gray-green color. The shoots are square and have small, soft teeth on the edges.

The outstanding feature of the plant is its flower. The flowers of Stapelia gigantea are star -shaped and, with a diameter of up to 40 centimeters, are among the largest flowers in the plant kingdom. They are covered with fine hairs on the outside and have a yellowish-white base color with purple stripes or stains, which gives them a fleshy, realistic texture. The petals are very ribbed and arched on the outside, creating an optical illusion that is reminiscent of raw meat.

A striking aspect of the flower is the smell of smell, which is perceived particularly strongly when the flower is opened. This smell plays an important role in the plant's pollination strategy because it attracts aa flies and other insects that normally find food on decaying meat or lay their eggs.

Distribution and habitat

Stapelia gigantea is located in the dry areas of Southeast Africa. In its natural environment, the plant can be found in stony deserts, dry hanging and on dry river beds, where it has adapted to the extreme heat and lack of water. It grows in well -permeable, gravel or sandy soils that contain little organic substance. These locations are often very sunny and have high temperatures, which makes Stapelia gigantea a particularly resistant way that can cope well with dry periods.

Ecology and pollination strategy

The ecological adaptation of Stapelia gigantea is closely linked to its pollination strategy. The plant specializes in carrion flies as pollinators. The pronounced smell of aa of the flower and its fleshy look simulate a dead organism, which leads to flying on the flowers and putting their eggs there. The flies are pollinated with pollen that you carry to the next flower when you hit another supposed food source. This deception strategy is an outstanding example of the adaptability of plants that rely on specialized pollinators.

In addition to pollination, Stapelia gigantea is adapted to extremely dry conditions. The succulent shoots of the plant store water, which enables their survival in long dry periods. In addition, the wax layer and the missing leaves are characteristics that minimize water evaporation and protect the plant from extreme temperatures.

Culture and care

Stapelia gigantea is popular with succulent lovers worldwide and is often cultivated in pots. However, care requires knowledge of the specific needs of the plant, since it only thrives in well -drained, barren substrates and does not tolerate waterlogging. A mixture of mineral components such as sand and gravel is ideal for cultivation in the pot. In summer, the plant prefers full sun and regular but moderate watering. In winter, on the other hand, it should be kept dry because it hardly needs any water in this resting phase.

Another aspect of care is the flowering period. Stapelia gigantea typically blooms in late summer until autumn, whereby the smell of smell of flowering inside interior may be perceived as uncomfortable. Due to its special appearance and its unusual pollination strategy, the plant is an interesting enrichment for every succulent collection.