stapelia noun. [stǝ'pi:lɪǝ] L18.
[mod. Latin (see below), from Jan Bode van Stapel (d. 1636), Dutch botanist + -IA¹.]
Any of various succulent southern African plants constituting the genus Stapelia (family Asclepiadaceae), remarkable for the large size and fetid smell of the star-shaped flowers. Also called carrion-flower, starfish-flower.

■ stapeliad noun a plant belonging to any of a group of closely related genera including Stapelia and others formerly considered part of it M20.

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