stapelia

noun

sta·​pe·​lia stə-ˈpēl-yə How to pronounce stapelia (audio)
: any of a genus (Stapelia) of chiefly African perennial herbs of the milkweed family with succulent typically leafless toothed stems and showy but usually putrid-smelling star-shaped flowers

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from J. B. van Stapel †1636 Dutch botanist

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stapelia was in 1776

Dictionary Entries Near stapelia

Cite this Entry

“Stapelia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stapelia. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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