Message on the topic of unusual plants. ~ The most amazing plants on planet Earth ~

Our planet is home to 300,000 plants, so it's no surprise that sometimes you can find truly bizarre and unique plants.

We all know roses, tulips and other commonly grown flowers, but did you know that there are rare orchids that look like monkey faces, dancing girls or flying ducks? Have you heard of a plant that eats mice? What about plants that smell like dead flesh or feces? In fact, the plant kingdom is very diverse and exciting with thousands of stunning plant species that you have most likely not even heard of.

To show you just how diverse and unique our planet's flora can be, in this list we'll show you some of the most bizarre and unique plants in the world. From oddly shaped orchids and "living rocks" to snapdragons, Darth Vader's flower and vicious carnivorous plants capable of digesting small animals, here are some of the strangest and most unusual plants on the planet.

25. Prayer Abrus (Crab´s eye)

Abrus prayer is a slender, climbing perennial plant that wraps around trees, bushes and hedges. This plant is endemic to almost all of the tropics and is best known for its seeds, which are used as beads as well as in percussion instruments. It is worth remembering that these seeds are poisonous due to the fact that they contain abrin (Abrin).

24. Lithops from the Karas Mountains (Lithops karasmontana)


'Lithops karasmontana' (which translates as living rock from the Karas Mountains) is a species of flowering plant in the Aizoaceae family endemic to Namibia and southern Africa. This unique looking plant escapes herbivore attacks by mimicking rock formations. When these plants are not in bloom, they are almost indistinguishable from rocks.

23. Radiant leader (White Egret flower)


The radiant leader is a species of orchid endemic to China, Japan, Korea and Russia. The flower resembles a white dove, but should not be confused with the white fringed orchid Platanthera praeclara, which is a North American species.

22. Rafflesia Arnold (Corpse flower)


Rafflesia Arnold, endemic to the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo, is notable for being the largest single flower on Earth (1 meter in diameter). The scientific name of this plant is Rafflesia arnoldii. The flower exudes a very strong stench, reminiscent of the smell of decaying flesh, due to which it is also called a corpse flower.

21. Orchid "Dracula benedictii"

'Dracula benedictii' is a rare species of orchid found in the central and western Cordilleras of Colombia. This monkey face orchid was named after Benedict Roezl, the famous bohemian collector who discovered it.

20. "Nepenthes distillatoria"

A tropical carnivorous plant of the Nepenthes genus called 'Nepenthes distillatoria', found in Sri Lanka, is famous for its leaves that have turned into deep traps. They serve as a sort of mechanism to trap prey into a deep cavity filled with digestive fluid. The diet of the plant usually consists of insects, however, in some cases, frogs and even mice have been found in them.

19. Psychotria or Lips of a prostitute (Hooker's lips)


Prostitute's Lip Plant, scientifically known as Psychotria (Psychotria Elata), is a species of flowering plant in the Rubiaceae family. This plant, endemic to parts of Central and South America, appears to have evolved into its current form in order to attract pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies.

18. Euphorbia fat (Baseball plant)


Euphorbia obese, endemic to South Africa (particularly the Cape Province), is a subtropical succulent notable for its bizarre baseball-like shape. In the wild, the plant is endangered due to over-harvesting and poaching, as well as its slow growth.

17. Orchid-ballerina (Ballerina orchid)

The ballerina orchid is a small, inconspicuous earthen orchid with long narrow flower petals that grows both singly and in groups. This type of orchid can only be found in a very small region in southwestern Australia. The ballerina orchid is on the verge of extinction. Despite the fact that this plant can live for many years, it blooms only for two weeks.

15. Kirkazon Salvadoran or flower Darth Vader (Darth Vader flower)

The Darth Vader flower, scientifically known as "Aristolochia Salvadorensis", is a species of Aristolochia, a numerous plant genus with over 500 species. The plant, reaching 30 centimeters in height, mainly grows as an annual plant. This means that it only exists for one season.

14. Fern rachis (Fiddlehead fern)


Fern rachis or fern snails are rolled young fern shoots that are harvested for use as a vegetable. Fern rachis have antioxidant activity, are high in iron and fiber, and are a source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

13. Tacca Chantrier (Black bat flower)


The Tacca Chantrier plant, endemic to tropical regions of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia and southern China, is a species of flowering plant in the Dioscoreaceae family. This plant growing in the undergrowth is especially notable for its unusual black flowers, which are shaped like a bat.

12. "Ceropegia haygarthii"


'Ceropegia haygarthii' is a sturdy climbing vine with small, very unusually shaped cream and reddish-brown flowers. The plant is one of the species of the kutrovye family and grows in Angola, South Africa and Mozambique.

11. Dancing Girls Orchid (Impatiens Bequaertii)


What looks like two dancing girls are actually very rare flowers of the species 'Impatiens Bequaertii', one of the 1000 species of the genus Impatiens, a flowering plant that is widespread throughout the northern hemisphere and the tropics.

10. Orchid "Babies in Diapers" (Swaddled babies orchid)

The 'Babies in Diapers' orchid, officially known as 'Anguola uniflora', is a small Anguloan native to South America, where it grows at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,500 meters above sea level. The orchid is famous for its large flowers, reminiscent of babies in diapers, which exude a rich aroma.

9. Snapdragon (Skull flower)


Snapdragon (Antirrhinum) is a climbing plant native to the rocky regions of Europe, the United States and North Africa. Once upon a time, people were afraid of it and believed that it had mystical powers due to the similarity of its dried flowers with skulls.

8. Phalaenopsis (Moth orchid)


Phalaenopsis, first discovered on a small island off the east coast of New Guinea in 1653, has a uniform texture that makes it easy to identify. Currently, this type of orchid can be found in the eastern and southeastern regions of Asia.

7. Single-flowered calceolaria (Darwin's slipper)

Calceolaria uniflora, scientifically known as "Calceolaria Uniflora" is a perennial plant of the genus Calceolaria (Calceolaria) with yellow, white and red-brown flowers. Calceolaria is a mountain plant, reaching a height of only 10 centimeters. This plant is endemic to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, located in the south of South America.

6. Nepenthes Rajah (Nepenthes rajah)


Nepenthes Raja, endemic to parts of Borneo, is an insectivorous plant from the Nepentaceae family. It grows exclusively on serpentine substrates, particularly in areas where groundwater seeps through with loose and constantly moist soil. Due to the very limited and localized area of ​​growth, this plant is classified as an endangered species.

5. Strongylodon large-handed (Jade vine)


Strongylodon, also known as Emerald Strongylodon, is a species of perennial leguminous arboreal Strongylodon endemic to the rainforests of the Philippines. Being a close relative of common legumes, this plant has very long stems that reach 18 meters in length.

4. Double leaf (Skeleton flower)

Bifolia, scientifically known as "Diphylleia grayi", is a species of the barberry family (Berberidaceae). It is a small plant notable for its white petals that become when it rains. When dry, they turn white again.

3. Orchid "Flying Duck" (Flying duck orchid)


The Flying Duck Orchid is a small orchid native to eastern and southern Australia. This terrestrial plant produces a marvelous flower resembling a duck in flight. The flower attracts insects such as male sawflies, which pollinate the flower in a process known as pseudocopulation.

2. Passion flower meat red (Maypop)


Meat red passion flower, also known as incarnate passionflower, red white passionflower, corporal passionflower or apricot liana is a fast growing perennial vine with climbing stems. The meat red passionflower is a member of the passionflower genus and produces large compound flowers with prominent stamens. This is one of the hardiest species of passionflower and is widely distributed in the southern United States.

1. Starfish flower


The starfish flower is one of the so-called corpse flowers. It is a strange looking plant that exudes a disgusting smell of rotting flesh. Despite the stench, this flower is very popular with gardeners and collectors who appreciate its unusual appearance and bright color.

Earth is an amazing planet, which consists of 70% water. At the same time, a favorable atmosphere causes an amazing flora and fauna. The world has a huge number of different trees, flowers and plants. We bring to your attention the most unusual plants in the world. Botany is an amazing science that allows us to witness miracles. Indeed, among the diversity of the plant world, there are quite a few of them. Let's get to the review.

TOP 10 most unusual plants of our world

The peculiarity of the plant lies in its age. Some species have lived on the planet for over 2000 years. At the same time, two huge leaves come out of a short tree trunk. The dwarf reaches a small stature, but its fruits are of amazing dimensions. At the same time, the age of the leaves practically corresponds to the trunk itself. Leaves grow directly from the base. Only the ends die. In some cases, their length reaches 8 meters.

Another amazing plant that emits an extremely unpleasant odor. Despite the beauty, you can admire this work of art, except perhaps in a gas mask. A unique feature of this plant is the presence of a huge flower, which can exceed the trunk and stem of Amorphophallus several times in size. As a rule, the flower reaches a diameter of one and a half meters. Width and height can reach 2.5 meters.

Another amazing flower belonging to the Cactus family. As a rule, a representative of this plant species lives in California. Some individuals may grow in an arid desert. By no means, the largest Bigelow is located in Joshua-Tree Park (California). He reached a height of 2 meters. The plant is covered with many fluffy cacti. At sunrise, the scenery is simply amazing.

Closes the Top 5 most amazing plants on the planet is another representative of the Cactus family Carnegia giant. The flower reaches a diameter of more than three meters. Moreover, its height can be 14 meters. In some cases, the age of the flowers is 150 years or more. It is quite difficult to describe the appearance of a plant without a photo. The picture shows a small cactus from this genus.

This is a carnivorous plant. A unique flower that is able to hunt insects. Thus, Nepenthes replenishes the missing supply of nutrients. The leaves of the plant are presented in the form of jugs. The inside of the jars contains nectar that attracts insects. After that, the carnivorous flower opens its neck and sharply catches insects. The enzyme contributes to the rapid processing of butterflies and flies.

Dionaea muscipula

Another amazing plant that preys on insects. The locals call this carnivorous creature the "killer plant". It should be noted that this individual takes more active and drastic actions compared to the above plant. To catch prey, the Venus flytrap uses modified leaves shaped like jaws.

Ficus benghalensis

This amazing plant alone can seem like a whole forest. We are talking about a tree that can form incredibly many large branches. As a result, a huge number of additional trunks come out of one tree, which eventually acquire high strength. As a result, columns-trunks are formed, which are difficult to destroy even with a sharp saw.

This is the largest tree on our planet. A representative of the tallest plants in the world lives in temperate forests. Comparing our forests with redwoods, we can say that we have grass, not trees. In some cases, the growth of evergreen sequoia reaches 110 meters. However, they can exist for over 3500 years. In the old days, people lived in the houses of these trees. The ancestors managed to hollow out spacious rooms inside the tree, where they spent the night and took refuge from the weather. These trees grow mainly in California.

The flora of our planet is so diverse that some specimens in the process of evolution have completely lost their original appearance and have become similar to other life forms. The most unusual plants in the world are really able to amaze the observer.

This plant is mainly distributed in the tropical forests of Asia, Australia and Africa. As a deorative, it is also grown in greenhouses, sometimes sold on Halloween because of its resemblance to a bat.

One of the varieties of orchids comes from the Mediterranean. Popularly referred to as the "naked man". It is very popular due to the unusual shape of the petals, similar to human figures.

In the people, she received the nickname "lips of a whore." Grows in Central America. It has a receptacle in the form of a woman's lips. Contains hallucinogenic toxins.

In the people it is called "the hand of the devil." Grows in Mexico and Central America. The Aztecs considered it a sacred plant and used it for ritual purposes.

The tree is unusual not only in its appearance. If the bark is damaged, a red liquid similar to blood oozes out. Grows in tropical African forests. The age of some individuals reaches 8–9 thousand years.

The true symbol of Africa is the baobab tree. It has a thick, fleshy trunk and an almost complete absence of a crown. The fact is that the arid climate forces it to accumulate water and nutrients in the trunk for a period of drought.

This is a natural wonder from India. Its leaves are constantly moving with a certain frequency, even in complete calm.

South Africa is considered the birthplace of this "living stone", however, as an ornamental plant, it is distributed throughout the world. Lithops are especially interesting at the time of the appearance of flowers.

Tropical plant from the genus Liana. It has unusual fruits similar to cucumbers. The red core of the ripe fruit is edible and is considered a delicacy.

It grows in the northern hemisphere in temperate climates. Snapdragon seeds are capsules in the form of a human skull.

Endemic to Angola and Namibia. Grows only in dry areas. Nothing out of the ordinary, except for the age. Some specimens are over 2000 years old.

A representative of the Cactus family comes from the deserts of Arizona and California. The height of the plant stem reaches 20 m, the thickness is up to 60–70 cm.

This plant is a predator. It uses its flower-jugs to catch insects. Found in Australia, New Guinea and Madagascar.

Another insect hunter. It grows on the east coast of the USA. Has leaves in the form of jaws, covered with sensitive villi. When insects land on it, the "mouth" slams shut, and the victim begins to digest.

It grows only in the Amazon basin. The leaves of the plant reach 3 m in diameter and are able to withstand the weight of an adult.

Unusualness lies in the reaction to external stimuli. If you touch the bashful Mimosa, then all the leaves are twisted into tubes, and the branch itself falls, “hiding”. After a few seconds, the plant returns to its original position.

Its flower reaches a length of 2.5 m. It has an unusual smell of rotting meat, which is felt several hundred meters away.

Endemic to Bolivia and Peru. The stem of the plant is completely covered with small flowers and reaches 12 m in height. Puya Raymonda blooms no more than once every 150 years.

Interestingly, nature not only gives plants various properties that help them survive and sometimes surprise us. It seems to copy some features of one species in another (just remember a flower-lip or a seed box that looks like a skull), as if jokingly reminding how everything in it, including people, is interconnected and interdependent.

24.08.2015

The flora of our planet is so rich and diverse that it never ceases to amaze even scientists. This rating presents the 10 most unusual plants in the world, capable of turning ideas about botany with their appearance. It seems to be a very honorable thing to be a botanist, as these scientists can surprise the whole world with their discoveries.

10. Creepy handshake

Thanks to the flowers of an unusual shape, the chirantodendron is called the "hand of the devil." The homeland of this tree is Mexico, which was inhabited by the Aztecs several centuries ago. They used chirantodendron flowers in their magical rituals, and all because of their similarity with a five-fingered brush. The color of the petals only adds color, because at the ends of the so-called fingers, red sharp claws are clearly visible. During the flowering period, the tree is very abundantly covered with “palms”, which sway eeriely in the wind.

9. Blooms and smells

For Europeans, this plant is very unusual, but people living in the tropics and subtropics do not consider amorphophallus to be something unusual. A plant develops from a tuber the size of an average grapefruit. And for local residents, it is of gastronomic interest. In Japanese cuisine, amorphophallus tubers are added to soups, stewed with vegetables. And the dried pieces are ground into flour, from which noodles are subsequently made. But having become acquainted with amorphophallus during the flowering period, not every tourist then dares to eat it. The flower of amorphophallus reaches a height of 2.5 m. This huge and incredibly beautiful flower, like the famous rafflesia, the heroine of the top 10, exudes an unrealistic stench. The smell of rotting meat attracts insects that pollinate the plant. And the larvae of some species of moth amorphophallus can also have a snack, replenishing the supply of nutrients. This plant proves that appearances can be deceiving. And because of the unpleasant smell, there are few who want to admire the beautiful flower live. The rest make a choice in favor of high-quality photos.

8 Dragon Blood

If the bark of a dragon tree is damaged, a red, tarry liquid similar to blood will come out in this place. Because of this feature, for many years the natives considered the tree sacred. Modern scientists are not in awe of the sap of dragon trees, but they study them with great interest. These unusual plants are found on the African continent and on the southern islands of Asia. They grow rather slowly, but specimens of impressive size come across, the girth of which can reach 15 m. Such dimensions can boast specimens of a very respectable age. Experts say that the dragon tree can live up to 9,000 years, but without complex research it is impossible to determine the age of the plant, since it does not form growth rings.

7. Living stones of the desert

Translated from ancient Greek, this plant is called "having the appearance of a stone." Many amateur flower growers also call these unusual houseplants living pebbles. Lithops come from the African desert, but with proper care they feel good in an ordinary city apartment. Lithops are two fleshy leaves that are separated by a gap. A pair of leaves lives for one year, then it is replaced by a new pair, the dividing gap of which will be located strictly perpendicular to the previous one. Such a life cycle is due to the arid climate characteristic of these plants. Old watery leaves serve as a source of moisture and nutrients for new ones. Developing, lithops can “throw out” another pair of leaves nearby from one root. Over time, they grow into small flocks.

6. An established supermarket

The baobab is considered an unofficial symbol of the African savannah, this unusual tree has a very recognizable silhouette. Baobabs have peculiar proportions, their trunk is too wide relative to the height of the tree. And all because in it the plant accumulates and stores nutrients and water. Stocks are enough for the entire period of drought, however, at this time the tree decreases in volume and even sheds foliage. Local residents have learned to use baobabs to the fullest. They joke that if a baobab grows nearby, then you don’t need to go to the market. So, nets and mats are weaved from the bark, the fruits are eaten, shampoo is made from them, faces are painted with rhizome juice, and wood ash saves the natives from many diseases. The tree itself can serve as a good home. The fact is that wet wood under the influence of fungal infections is often destroyed, and the baobab becomes hollow inside. However, this does not prevent the mega-hardy tree from continuing to grow and bear fruit. According to the results of recent studies, it was concluded that baobabs live for more than one thousand years. So such empty trees can shelter up to 40 people inside. But when the baobab does die, it crumbles into small pieces, and leaves behind only a mountain of rotten wood.

5. Foggy prospects

In the world there are unusual types of plants that need specific weather conditions for a comfortable life. One of these exotic plants is amazing velvichia. This plant can be found on the rocky desert soils of Namibia and Angola, where it rains only 2 months a year. The rest of the time, the sun kills all living things. At the same time, Velvichia manages to survive. And all because the main source of moisture for this plant is thick fog, due to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. The plant absorbs moisture from the air with its huge leaves. True, there are only two of them, but the length of each reaches 8 meters, and the width - up to 2 m. To shade the rhizome, the plant divides its wide leaves into narrow parts in the form of belts. The latter die off over time, but the shade from them allows the plant to survive in extreme conditions. Due to the withered foliage, the plant seems to be dead, but in fact its life potential is amazing. Velvichia is often mistaken for grass, but in fact it is a tree, and quite ancient. With the help of carbon analysis, it was found that the age of individual specimens exceeds 1500 years.

4. You don't need a reason to dance

An unusual shrub called Desmodium gyrans grows in Asia. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the leaves of the plant are constantly in motion. This happens provided that the plant receives enough moisture and light. Only then can one observe how some leaves literally dance on a branch. Scientists explain such movements by jumps in water pressure inside the leaf cells. But, despite the scientific conclusions, from the outside it looks a lot like magic. It is striking that the cyclical movements of the leaves resemble the human heart rhythm. This, as a result of research, was established by an Indian scientist. Well, a person should remember that he is as much a part of nature as the exotic Desmodium gyrans. But the bush dances are worth a look.

3. Water lily for Thumbelina

Some unusual plant species enjoy special attention among the inhabitants of the countries where they grow. So, the Amazonian Victoria flaunts on the coat of arms of Guyana, a small South American state. Yes, and there is something to be proud of, because this is the largest water lily in the world, the leaves of which reach 2 m in diameter. Such a leaf can withstand not only the fabulous Thumbelina, but also a person or animal weighing up to 50 kg. The flowers of the plant, which appear once a year for 3 days, require special attention. Delicate flowers with a diameter of 30 cm on the first day have a snow-white color. At night, they close, and sink under water to appear the next morning of the second day in a pale pink color. On the third day, they change color to raspberry or purple, and by evening they go underwater for the last time. So, for three days, water lilies appear on the surface of the water in all their glory, but their withering is hidden from the eyes of the audience.

2. Fly for lunch

Venus flytrap is a rare representative of predator plants. Its leaves of a special shape are able to snap shut abruptly, holding the insect inside. As soon as the food is inside, the leaf begins to secrete an enzyme to digest the insect. On average, one leaf spends up to 10 days for the complete digestion of organic matter. After that, only the chitinous shell remains from the fly. During its life, the leaf manages to “eat” up to three insects. Such predatory behavior of the plant is dictated by the environment of its growth. Under natural conditions, this plant can most often be found in a humid climate on swampy soils. Similar conditions are found in the United States on the Atlantic coast. The swampy soil is poor in nitrogen, eating insects, the flycatcher makes up for the lack of nutrients. Today, it is fashionable to breed unusual indoor plants, and the Venus flytrap may well become one of them.

1. Timid beauty

Mimosa bashful, perhaps, overshadowed all the most unusual plants in the world. This herbaceous plant instantly reacts to the slightest touch. One has only to touch it, as all the mimosa leaves, as if embarrassed, curl up, and the twigs droop. True, after 5-10 minutes of rest, the plant again returns to its original form. In nature, this exotic plant can be found in Central America, but as a houseplant, the shy mimosa grows all over the world. However, you have to see it with your own eyes.

As you can see, nature is generous with miracles. And once again you can verify this by reading.

The fantasy of nature is inexhaustible, so a variety of creatures live on our planet - from funny to terrifying. But there are also unusual representatives of the flora: not only giants, but also real predators.

1. Amorphophallus titanic (corpse lily)

This flower is gigantic, it is beautiful, but it exudes a terrible stench. True, it spreads around itself the smell of rotten fish and meat for only a couple of days, and then fades. And this tropical plant blooms very rarely - in the 40 years that the "corpse lily" lives, the flower appears only 3-4 times. The plant can grow up to 3 meters tall, and the weight of the flower can pull up to 75 kilograms. The "corpse lily" grows in the forests of Sumatra, but there it is almost exterminated, so it is easier to see it in the botanical gardens.

2. Venus flytrap

This beautiful, even graceful plant is a real predator: with its leaves of a special design, it deftly catches small insects. As soon as an unlucky fly touches with its paw or wing the villi on the leaf bed, it slams shut. And while the insect is actively kicking, the plant only increases the secretion of digestive juice. An insect caught as if in shells is completely digested in 10 days. Then the leaf opens and lures a new victim with droplets of nectar. People have even been able to tame this potted predator by growing it on a windowsill. If you properly care for him, then the process of hunting can be observed with your own eyes.

3. Passiflora

This tropical liana has a very unusual and beautiful flower. For the first time, these flowers were noticed in South Africa by missionaries, to whom it seemed like the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ. Therefore, they gave it the unscientific, but very colorful name "passion flower" (an allusion to the passion of Christ). In general, there are over 500 species of these woody climbing vines, called passionflower.

4. Victoria amazonica

This is the largest water lily in the world. The diameter of its leaves floating on the surface of the water reaches two meters. Such a sheet can safely hold a child on itself. Victoria amazonian flowers are very beautiful, so this species can often be seen in botanical gardens and greenhouses.

5. Nepenthys

This is a very unusual-looking carnivorous plant that grows in Southeast Asia. This bushy climber climbs higher into neighboring trees. In addition to ordinary leaves, it also has trapping ones, which very much resemble an impressive jug up to 0.5 m high. Catching leaves have a bright color that attracts insects and small rodents. Fragrant nectar protrudes from the top edge of the jug. Attracted by color and smell, the victim crawls inside the jug and slides down its slippery walls. At the bottom of the jug, a puddle of digestive acids and enzymes, reminiscent of gastric juice, awaits her. From the inside, the surface of the leaf has wax scales that do not allow the victim to get out of the jug. Nepenthis digests its prey for several days. Once I managed to find a rat caught in such a jar.

6. Porcupine tomato

This unusual plant is famous for its incredibly large thorns. This weed grows in Madagascar, reaching a height of one and a half meters, it is decorated with purple flowers. But getting close to these flowers to pick them is very difficult, because the plant bristled with long orange poisonous spikes. In fact, this plant does not belong to the nightshade, but it was called “tomato” because of the fruits resembling medium-sized tomatoes.

7. "Living stones" (lithops)

Now you can often find these unusual plants that have been used as indoor flowers. "Live stones" are succulents, and those, as you know, are very unpretentious. But they decorate the interior well. You just need to know what they need for a normal existence, and one day the "stone" will blossom. Most often, flowering occurs in the third year of the plant's life.

The number of interesting places and attractions scattered around the world is incalculable. Everyone has something special that attracts every year...

8. Velvichia is amazing

Although this dwarf tree does not look very spectacular, it is attractive due to its strangeness. The amazing Velvichia has very strong roots, a stem and only two leaves. These leaves never fall off and are not replaced by new ones, they just grow slowly at the beginning and wither at the ends, and this can go on for over 2000 years. Overgrown leaf plates resemble some kind of shaggy beard or mane. The trunk of velvichia grows mainly in width, and not in height, therefore, with a height of no more than 2 m, it can have a girth of up to 8 m. This unusual long-liver lives in the South African Namib desert. It can go without rain for years, because it absorbs moisture with leaves from the fog. This is an edible plant with a pleasant taste, and it can be eaten not only baked, but also raw. He was even nicknamed the "onion of the desert" for its gastronomic properties.

9. Rafflesia Arnold

This is the most unusual and largest flower in the world. Rafflesia Arnold belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, it grows up to 90 centimeters in diameter, and the flower can weigh up to 10 kg. Although this giant flower looks unusually spectacular, you can’t put it in a room, because it emits a very unpleasant smell of rotting meat, which it needs to attract pollinating insects. The bud ripens for several months, but the flowering takes place in just a couple of days. The plant produces many seeds that are dispersed by insects such as ants and large mammals such as elephants, which may accidentally step on the flower and carry the seeds on their feet.

10. Chirantodendron ("creepy handshake")

The flowers of this plant have a very unusual shape, because of which it is called the "hand of the devil." It comes from Mexico, where the Aztec tribes once lived. They used the flowers of this plant, similar to hands, in magical rituals. And their coloring only excites the imagination even more - sharp red claws are visible at the ends of the “fingers”. During the flowering period, the chirantodendron is covered with “palms”, terribly fluttering in the wind.

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