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Glite Dictionary
Stapelias asterias

Stapelias asterias

9.9
A small plant with thick stems and flat star-shaped dark red-brown flowers that attract insects with a strong smell
  • noun
  • Specialized
: Stapelias asterias
  • The distinctive flowers of Stapelias asterias are mostly dark red-brown and have flat, star-shaped corollas.

Examples

  • The distinctive flowers of Stapelias asterias make it a unique addition to succulent collections.

  • In its native habitat, Stapelias asterias attracts insects with its unusual scent.

  • Stapelias asterias thrives in well-drained, sandy soil and warm climates.

  • The Stapelias asterias blooms beautifully in the summer.

  • Many gardeners admire Stapelias asterias for its unique flowers.

  • Many gardeners cultivate Stapelias asterias because its unique flowers attract numerous pollinators.

  • In warm climates, Stapelias asterias flourishes and adds a striking appearance to succulent gardens.

Surface Forms

Stapelias asterias singular
Stapelias asteriases plural

Morphology

Stapelia + asterias

This is a Latin binomial (a scientific name) where the genus 'Stapelia' may be recognizable as a plant group but the species epithet 'asterias' is a Latin/Greek form not known to a B1 learner. Scientific names act as proper nouns and require specialized botanical or classical-language knowledge, so the species meaning cannot be derived from the surface constituents by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Stapelias asterias gives a simple picture of the plant. The first part, Stapelias, is the group name for this kind of succulent, and the second part, asterias, comes from a word for 'star' because the flat, star-shaped flowers look like stars, so the name helps you remember the flower's shape.