Habitat

The African Starfish flower along with other carrion flowers that belong to stapeila are native to the arid, usually rocky , deserts, regions  southern African such as in Botswana, Zimbabwe southern Malwi, central Mozambique and especially in Namibia and South Africa.   In fact , most of the species are confined to the Cape region of South Africa.  The flower are widely distributed, but concentrated around the mountainous edge of South Africa.  Their habitats usually have well drained soils as they only need moderately fertile soil with excellent drainage to flourish.   The decaying smell of the flowers attract flies and other insects for pollination.   

African Starfish flowers are native to the Succulent Karoo Biome which is 116 900 square kilometres of desert. The biome covers the dry western pars of Southern Africa and Namibia. The biome is a winter rainfall desert and due to its high levels of airdity and temperatures that rise to 40 degrees Celsius, the desert is one of two worldwide arid hotspots.  

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