| 1. | any of several North American climbing plants of the genus Smilax, esp. S. herbacea, having small white flowers with an odor of carrion. |
| 2. | Also called starfish flower. any of various succulent plants of the genus Stapelia, of southern Africa, having spotted or variegated flowers often with a fetid odor. |
| starfish flower n. Any of numerous tropical and southern African succulent plants of the genus Stapelia, having mottled, star-shaped, ill-smelling flowers. Also called carrion flower. |