Origin and Habitat: Orbea semotaSN|30311]]SN|30311]] occurs in Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Habitat and ecology: It grows on rocky outcrops, interlocked with the stems of sparse shrubs, as usually seen with most members of the Stapelieae.

• Orbea semota (N.E.Br.) L.C.Leach
• Stapelia semota N.E.Br.

• Orbea semota (N.E.Br.) L.C.Leach
• Stapelia semota N.E.Br.
• Orbea semota var. lutea
• Stapelia discoidea Oberm.
• Stapelia kagerensis Lebrun & Taton
• Stapelia molonyae A.C.White & B.Sloane

• Orbea semota subs. orientalis Bruyns
• Orbea orientalis (Bruyns) Plowes

Description: Orbea semotaSN|30311]]SN|30311]] is a distinct stapeliad known for the foul smelling flowers that are designed by nature to attract flies for pollination. The fairly large flowers (to 50 mm across) vary from chocolate brown with a light pattern to pure yellow (var. lutea). The fine hairs flickering in the faintest breeze that cover the surface of the flowers, further enhance the resemblance to carrion, perhaps as an attraction to pollinators.
Habit: Orbea semotaSN|30311]]SN|30311]] is a much-branched, mat forming succulent to 10 cm tall, the stems decurved and rooting freely in contact with the soil.
Stems: Erect or procumbent, 10-18 mm across excluding teeth. Teeth stout, conical, ascending or spreading, to 12 mm long.
Flowers: Solitary or several together, borne from any part of the stem. Corolla star-shaped 3.5-5 cm in diameter, transversely wrinkled, dark maroon or dark brown with yellow marks at tips or throughout lobes, or uniformly yellow (var. lutea). Limb with a shallow annulus supporting outer corona. Lobes ovate, acute, often recurred along margin, that are are ciliate with vibratile simple hairs. Outer corona-lobes subquadrate approx. 2 mm long. Inner corona 2 mm high, lying against anther, without extended horns or wing. The fetid smell is mainly caused by butanoic acid (26.6%).
Blooming season: Summer-autumn.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11 August 2011
2) Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. “Medicinal plants 2” PROTA, 2013
3) Don Normark, Peggy Park Bernal “The Botanical Gardens at the Huntington” Huntington Library, 2006
4) White & Sloane “The Stapelieae” edn 2 1937
5) Sir William Jackson Hooker “Hooker's Icones Plantarum: Or, Figures, with Brief Descriptive Characters and Remarks, of New Or Rare Plants, Selected from the Author's Herbarium” Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longman, 1940
6) Excelsa Taxonomic Series 1: 46-8 1978
7) Urs Eggli “Sukkulenten” E. Ulmer, 1994

Cultivation and Propagation: Orbea semotaSN|30311]]SN|30311]] is an easy blooming plant when mature that require moderately watering through the growing season but enjoy plenty of water and some fertiliser in hot weather, this helps them to flower freely. Water more sparingly in winter according to temperatures. But, as with most asclepiads, it is unwise to leave them wet in cold weather. Winter care presents no problems at 5°C with plenty of light. Since roots are quite shallow, use a cactus mix or add extra perlite or pumice to regular soil potting soil. A gritty, very free-draining compost is suitable, and clay pots help the plants to dry out between watering.
Sun Exposure: Partial sun or light shade
Pest and diseases: Stapelia species vary in their susceptibility to rotting, but are generally fairly easy to grow, especially if kept pest-free. They are very susceptible to stem and root mealy bugs, and damage from these may well initiate fungal attack. If you do have problems with a stem or with basal rotting, you can reliably isolate the healthy parts, dry them off, and re-root them in moist compost.
Cultural Practices: Re-pot every 2 years.
Traditional uses: In Tanzania the sap from the pounded stems in applied to wounds and ulcers.
Propagation: Easiest with stem cuttings. Allow cuttings to dry a day before planting. Stems must be laid (Not buried) on gritty compost and will then root from the underside of the stems. It can also be increased from seeds sowing in spring in moist, sandy peat moss.
Potting medium: Since roots are quite shallow, use a cactus mix or add extra perlite or pumice to regular soil potting soil. A gritty, very free-draining compost is suitable, and clay pots help the plants to dry out between watering.