The genera of plants within the tribe Stapeliae are all to varying degrees stem succulents and are leafless. They are tropical plants, except for the single species Caralluma europea from the very southern part of the Iberian peninsula. They are often regarded as a climax group within the family because of their often structurally complex flowers. Certain aspects of these reproductive parts mirror the pollination systems in the Orchid family and represent a case of parallel evolution though both groups are quite unrelated and have developed similar, though not identical means to achieve the ultimate goal of pollination and therefore reproduction.
The genus Stapelia consists of around 40 species of low growing, spineless, stem succulent plants, predominantly from South Africa.
The flowers in some species, notably Stapelia gigantea can reach 30 cm (12 inches) in diameter and in all species are hairy to varying degrees and generate the odour of rotten flesh.
This attracts pollinating flies, metallic blue, green, or bronze blow flies of the dipteran family Calliphoridae.
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