Stapelia in the Origins Centre indigenous garden

Stapelia gigantea, or African starfish flowers, smell like rotting meat. The odour combined with the colour and hair on the flower mimic decaying animal matter and attract flies, who act as pollinators.

The Origins Centre experience begins in the garden where we nurture a variety of indigenous plants found in South Africa. The plants have medicinal, ritual, recreational, edible, cosmetic and hunting applications. They also attract a range of interesting birds