Stoutest Tree: Montezuma Cypress

image credit

Montezuma Cypress, also known as Sabino or Ahuehuete is a large evergreen or semi-evergreen tree that grows to 40 m (131 ft) tall and with a trunk diameter that can reach more than 3 m (9 ft). This species, Taxodium mucronatum is native to south of Mexico and southernmost Texas, USA. The tree is very drought-tolerant and grows very fast which makes it a parks and gardens favorite plant. A Montezuma Cypress named Arbol del Tule (pictured here) in Oaxaca, Mexico is known as the world’s stoutest tree measuring at 11.42 m (37.45 ft) across. If measured as a smoothed out trunk, its diameter is said to be 9.8 m (32.15 ft), still slightly larger than the second stoutest tree, a Giant Sequoia 8.98 m (29.46 ft).

Largest Flowering Plant:Mountain Ash

image credit

Mountain Ash is an evergreen tree with a straight, grey trunk and smooth bark except for the 5- 15 m (16-49 ft) rough basal. It is the tallest flowering plant and is known to attain heights over 120 m (400 ft). The flowers are produced in clusters and the fruits in capsule forms. The species, Eucalyptus regnans is native to southeastern Australia where it is also known as Victorian Ash, Swamp Gum, Tasmanian Oak or Stringy Gum. The tree is valued for its timber and was a major source of newsprint in the 20th century. The wood is also highly regarded in the construction and furniture industry.

Longest Leaves: Raffia Palm

image credit

The Raffia regalis hold the record of having the longest leaves in the world with a length of more than 25.11 m (65 ft) long and 3 m (9.8 ft) wide.  The species belong to the Raffia palm, a genus of twenty species of palms native to tropical regions of Africa, especially Madagascar. They grow up to 16 m tall and are noted for the compound pinnate leaves, the longest in the plant kingdom. Raffia fibers are widely used in textiles and constructions. They are also used for ropes and sticks and roof tops can be made out of its branches and leaves.

Tallest Tree: Coast Redwood

image credit

Coast Redwood, also known as California Redwood are known as the tallest trees on Earth reaching more than 115.82 m (380 ft) height and 8 m (26 ft) diameter at breast height. It is native to coastal California and the southwestern corner of Oregon within the United States. The very thick bark can be up to 30 cm (12 in). This evergreen, monoecious tree has a very long life span reaching up to 2,200 years. The tallest known today is named Hyperion whose height is confirmed to measure 115.55 m (379.1 ft). The tree was discovered in 2006 at a remote California forest. Its exact location is not revealed out of concern that visitors would upset the delicate ecosystem it inhabits.

Largest Water Plant: Giant Water Lily

image credit

The Giant Amazon Water Lily is the biggest water plant. The leaf can reach up to 3 m (9.8 ft) across, on a stalk up to 8 in (20 cm) long. The leaves are strong and huge it can carry the weight of a young child (photo). The flowers are white on the first night they bloom become pink the second night. It reaches up to 15 in (40 cm) in diameter, and are pollinated by beetles. The species, Victoria amazonica is native to the shallow waters of the Amazon River.

Largest Seed: Coco de Mer

image credit

Coco de Mer is a palm endemic to two UNESCO World Heritage Site islands in Seychelles. The mature fruit can reach a diameter of 19 in (50 cm) and can weigh up to 30 kg (66 lbs) as it contains the largest and heaviest seed in the plant kingdom. The fruit requires 6-7 years to mature and another two years to germinate. It is sometimes referred as the Sea Coconut, double coconut, or Seychelles Nut. For centuries, the seeds have commanded high prices, and trading is closely controlled, but poaching remains a problem because of their high value in the tourist market. If reproduction and survival will not improve, the species (Lodoicea maldivica) will likely become endangered.

Largest Flower: Rafflesia Arnoldii

image credit

Rafflesia is a genus of parasitic flowering plants discovered in the Indonesian rain forest in 1818. The plant has no stems, leaves or true roots and the flower looks and smells like rotting flesh, the reason its local names translate to “corpse flower” or “meat flower”. Several Rafflesia species are found throughout southeastern Asia including the Philippines. Many of them are either endangered or threatened.  The flower of the Rafflesia arnoldii, the biggest species can reach a diameter of more than 100 cm (39 in), and weigh up to 11 kg (24 lb). It occurs only in the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo in the Malay Archipelago and is rare and difficult to locate as the buds take several months to develop and the flower lasts for just a few days. Being unisexual, proximity of male and female flowers is vital for successful pollination.

Largest Fruit: Jackfruit

image credit

The largest tree borne fruit in the world is Jackfruit, a species of the mulberry family. This South and Southeast Asia native can reach 36 kg (80 lbs) in weight, up to 90 cm (36 in) long and 50 cm (20 in) in diameter. The fruit’s sweet yellow sheaths and fragrant smell makes it a popular fruit in many parts of the world. The seeds can also be roasted or boiled and the unripe fruit cooked and eaten.

Tallest Grass: Giant Bamboo

image credit

Giant Bamboos are not only the largest members of the grass family; they are also the fastest growing plant on earth. Depending on soil and climate conditions, its growth rate reaches up to 60 cm (24 in) per day due to a unique rhizome-dependent system. Bamboos are of economic and high cultural significance in East Asia and South East Asia as they are extensively used in gardens, building constructions, and as food source. Bamboo makes up 99% of the Giant Panda’s diet.

Largest Horsetail: Mexican Giant Horsetail

image credit

Horsetail is a family of vascular plants that reproduce by spores rather than seeds. The largest known is the Equisetum myriochaetum or Mexican Giant Horsetail, an evergreen subtropical that can grow to an astounding 4.5 m (15 ft) long. The name horsetail came from the horse-tail-looking like branches, the name “Equisetum” from the Latin “equus”, meaning “horse” and “seta” means “bristle. Ironically, the plant is poisonous to horses.

Largest Algae: Kelp

 image credit

Kelp are the largest seaweed plants, belonging to the brown algae. They grow in shallow oceans forming underwater forests (kelp forest) and are well-known for their high growth rate—some genera can grow as fast as half a meter (1.5 ft) a day, ultimately reaching 80 m (262 ft).  It is fastened to the seabed with a root-like organ called a holdfast. Kelp is harvested and used for a wide variety of purposes. An extracted substance called alginate is commonly used to make ice cream, jelly, salad dressing and toothpaste.

Largest Moss: Giant Moss

image credit

Mosses are non vascular plants that cannot grow very large because they could not bring water to their tips. They live on wet environments as they do not have roots to keep them hydrated. They also do not create seeds nor produce fruits. The largest known is the Giant Moss, a stiff, robust, erect and miniature-pine-tree-looking-like moss that reaches a height up to 50 cm (500 mm). The species, Dawsonia superba inhabits the forest floors of New Zealand and the East Coast of Australia including Tasmania. Male and female flowers separately; they are covered in reddish-brown hairs and the opening has a bunch of whitish bristles.

Read also:

• The Largest Living Animals
• Bizarre Namib Dessert Plants