carrion flower

noun

1. any of several North American climbing plants of the genus Smilax, especially 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.

carrion flower

noun

1. a liliaceous climbing plant, Smilax herbacea of E North America, whose small green flowers smell like decaying flesh
2. any of several other plants, esp any of the genus Stapelia, whose flowers have an unpleasant odour

Word History and Origins

Origin of carrion flower¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

July 24: Bundles of green leaves of osage orange and carrion-flower; many pods of honey locust.

From Project Gutenberg