The extreme diversity in flower shape, colour and complexity in structure is comparable only to orchids. Also the tribe Stapelieae have flowers which are structurally the most evolved, complicated and specialised of all succulent plants.

Another aspect still of their flowers, is the surface, which may be shiny-smooth as if well polished or even ‘plastic-like’ even to the touch, bumpy, ridged or with a hairy surface that can be so delicate that the lightest of breeze can send them swaying to and fro.

Pollination is mostly by flies and beetles because in habitat these insects are more plentiful than bees and the plants have adapted well to this.

Piaranthus Cornutus