stapelia, n. [NL. So named after John Bodæus a Stapel, a physician of Amsterdam.].
An extensive and curious genus of African plants of the natural order Asclepiadaceæ (Milkweed family). They are succulent plants without leaves, frequently covered with dark tubercles giving them a very grotesque appearance. The odor of the blossoms is like that of carrion. [1913 Webster]