The transformation of the GNG began in 1990, not as a California native garden, but as a drought-tolerant Mediterranean garden. But it wasn’t long before the connection between native plants and the survival of native wildlife was made. Over the past 30 years, the majority of the original non-native Mediterranean plants have been removed.
One of the few remaining plants from the Mediterranean landscape design is this succulent called Starfish flower. Native to desert regions of South Africa, its flowers emit the smell of rotting flesh in order to attract blow flies which pollinate them. The large size, color and carrion smell of the flowers cause the flies to behave as if it is a dead carcass and will actually lay their eggs on it. Unfortunately for the fly larvae, this becomes a “dead end” in their life cycle.
Zulu Giant – Stapelia gigantea