Most plants, as we know them, dazzle us with their radiance and beauty. But as with most things in life, beauty is most definitely in the eye of the beholder. In the spirit of embracing all things green, we have put together a list of our favourite weird, yet strangely wonderful, rare and exotic plants!
Rat-eating Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes Attenboroughii)
Named after nature broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough, this benign pitcher plant was discovered in the Philippines less than a decade ago, but is believed to be the largest meat-eating plant in the world!
By Dr. Alastair Robinson (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) or CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Parachute Plant (Ceropegia sandersonii)
Ceropegia sandersonii, otherwise known as the parachute plant, originates from South Africa and is known for its partially-fused corolla lobes that form an umbrella-like dome. The flower itself acts as a biological myiophilous (fly-pollinated) pitfall-trap, attracting flies that are trapped by small hairs when they descend into the corolla tube. The victim is then thoroughly pollinated and only released once the hairs inside the flower wither.
By Wildfeuer (Own work (own photo)) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
Pelican Flower (Aristolochia grandiflora)
The extraordinary Artistolochia grandiflora is definitely deserving of its name thanks to enormous trumpet-shaped flowers it produces. This species acts similarly to the parachute plant, attracting and trapping flies and insects with its foul smell, much like that of rotting meat, and deposits pollen until the odour eventually disappears and the insects are released.
By C T Johansson (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica)
Few can resist touching the pretty pink blossoms and fern-like leaves of the Mimosa pudica and watch them fold up rapidly in response. When disturbed, the plant almost looks as if it’s startled as a result of stems releasing chemicals that force water out of the cells, making the leaves appear collapsed.
By Baluperoth (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Hydnora africana
Easily mistaken for a monster and possibly one of the most bizarre species on Earth is the Hydnora africana. Not only is this parasitic plant one of the most beastly we have seen, but it also emits a stomach-turning odour to attract its natural pollinators, dung beetles and carrion beetles.
By Lytton John Musselman [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
Bird of Paradise Flower (Strelitzia)
Despite its complex and striking beauty, the Bird of Paradise flower is actually fairly easy to grow and care for. It is one of the most popular and widely-recognised tropical flowers in the world and is aptly named for its resemblance to a bird taking flight.
Dead Horse Arum Lily (Helicodiceros muscivorus)
If a plant’s name has the words ‘dead horse’ in it, you know that it’s not good news. The Helicodiceros muscivorus is another giant flower that bears the distinct smell of rotting meat, which aims to lure in insects which are captured, covered in pollen and then released. Another interesting characteristic of this unusual plant is that it can even regulate its own temperature!
By Göteborgs botaniska trädgård (photographer: Ingemar Johansson) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Tree Tumbo (Walwitschia mirabilis)
This native inhabitant of the African desert looks as though it could have originated from the Jurassic period, with some experts believing the plant to be over 1,000 years old! Two succulent leaves continuously grow from its short, thick trunk until weathering eventually causes fraying and a parallel split. When discovered by Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch back in 1859, he ‘could do nothing but kneel down and gaze at it’.
By Nanosanchez (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Stay tuned, as in part two we will be sharing more of the weird and wonderful!