Eight of the World’s Most Unusual Plants

Weird is relative. What seems weird to me might not seem weird to you. In the plant kingdom, however, there are definitely some species that most people would acknowledge are highly unusual.

1. Rafflesia arnoldii: this parasitic plant develops the world's largest bloom that can grow over three feet across. The flower is a fleshy color, with spots that make it look like a teenager's acne-ridden skin. It smells bad and has a hole in the center that holds six or seven quarts of water. The plant has no leaves, stems, or roots.




2. Hydnora africana, an unusual flesh-colored, parasitic flower that attacks the nearby roots of shrubby in arid deserts of South Africa. The putrid-smelling blossom attracts herds of carrion beetles.


Image Credit: Martin Heigan (via creative commons)


3. Dracunculus vulgaris: smells like rotting flesh, and has a burgundy-colored, leaf-like flower that projects a slender, black appendage.






4. Amorphophallus: means, literally, "shapeless male genetalia." The name comes from the shape of the protruding black spadix.





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06.26.2010
g. typing
Anyway, Mary Katz, yr website was broken when i tried to surf it.
06.26.2010
g. typing
If only if all the articles about plants hav their common n genus names.it's so diffiicult find the names i want for my recent plant project. :(
03.20.2010
Mary Katz
I love the TickleMe Plant. It moves like the plant in Avatar. The leaves instantly close and even the branches droop when Tickled! It is amazing that now anyone can grow this tropical wonder indoors year round in the TickleMe Plant Greenhouse. They even have TickleMe Plant Party favors! If your house plant doesn't move when you Tickle It - grow one. See how interactive it is here http://www.ticklemeplant.com
Rafflesia Arnoldii n amorphophallus, u can get in Indonesia - Bogor (Botanical Park in Town) or in Cibodas, at firstly it found Mr. raffles in Forest Bengkulu - North Sumatra. Rafflesia Arnoldii /amorphophallus in Juni - August get flower n the flower can 8" high
06.19.2009
Cristina
Can I have these plants in my garden? :)
It feels good to write.

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