Apocynaceae

Orbea variegata

Common Names: Carrion flower

Plant Form: Perennial fleshy ground herb. Size: Up to 25 cm tall. Stem: Thick and fleshy with serrated edges. Leaves: No leaves. Flowers: Five lobed, star-shaped, up to 8 cm across. Cream to yellow with brown or purplish markings. Foul smelling. Fruit and Seeds: Smooth cylindrical 12 cm long pods that split open to reveal small seeds attached to silky hairs. Habitat: Shrublands, arid land, old gardens. Distinguishing Features: Without lookalikes. Impacts: Forms dense mats preventing native species growth.

Flower and stems (antje_m)

Stems (venturefoth)

Infestation (kaleszajer)

Seedpods release seeds with silky hairs (the_bush_fundi)