It is gray, leafless, with succulent stems that are roughly square in cross-section, and it is easily overlooked on the rocky hillsides where it grows. The plant rarely exceeds 25 cm in height, and has clusters of dark red, almost black, flowers at its stem tips. Its foul, carrion-like odor attracts flies, which pollinate it. The seeds are contained in 5 cm long narrow pods. Caralluma is well-known to the hill folk of Oman, who pound up the stems and prepare a tea which is reported to be good for liver ailments.