Six Bizarre Plants

Did you read the news about “World’s smelliest flower” that bloomed in Switzerland on Good Friday? It is called the “Corpse flower”. What is so special or significant about this flower? It bloomed for the first time in 75 years. How about knowing some more such bizarre or weird plants? Here is a list of top 6 bizarre plants around the world. 

Corpse Flower – Bloomed for the first time in 75 years:

Image via newswatch

1. Welwitschia: 

Welwitschia with only two leaves

Image via academic

Welwitschia leaves split due to swaying of winds

Image via thegorgeousdaily

This flower was discovered in the year 1859 by an Austrian botanist and is found in Namibia and Angola. What is so bizarre and weird about Welwitschia? The specialty of this flower is that it just has two leaves. These two leaves continue to grow throughout their lifetime, which is anywhere between 1000 and 2000 years; Welwitschia is referred as “living fossil” for this very reason. When winds sway these leaves split up and this gives an illusion of welwitschia having many leaves. 

2. Wolffia Angusta:

Wolffia Angusta in a finger

Image via metrolic

Many of us know about Rafflesia Arnoldii, the biggest flower in the world. Which is the smallest flowere in the world? Wolffia Angusta is the smallest flower in the world and is called as “watermeal.” There are nearly 30 species of Wolffia and all of them are very tiny. These plants do not have roots and looks like a small “o.” The fruits of these smallest flowering plants are also the smallest fruits in the world. One dozen wolffia can be fit in the head of a pin. These are more popular in Asia. 

3. Euphorbia Obesa:

Euphorbia Obesa Male flower

Euphorbia Obesa female flower

Image via cactus

Euphorbia obesa belongs to the subtropical species of Euphorbia genus and is native to South Africa. One of the major significance of this plant is that it has male and female flowers. This is one of the endangered plants in the world as it is being poached. It looks like a perfect ball and is extremely good for decorative purposes. It always has 8 ribs and is spherical in shape. They have water reservoirs that they use during periods of drought. 

4. Hydnora Africana:

Image via symbiotic

Hydnora Africana is native to South Africa. What is significant about Hydnora Africana?  The major part of this plant grows underneath except for its flower. This plant looks more like fungi. Their odor is similar to that of feces and this is mainly done to attract natural pollinators. This plant doesn’t have any leaves and this is another major significance.

5. Venus Flytrap:

Venus Flytrap closing after catching its prey

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Venus flytrap is also called as Dionaea muscipula and is a carnivorous plant. Are you wondering whether there are carnivorous plants? What is significant about Venus flytrap? It can catch as well digest the prey. Its preys are arachnids and small insects. This plant has four to seven leaves; these leaves contain lobes in them. When the prey gets in contact with the hair-like trichomes present in the lobes, prey gets trapped. 

6. Lithops: 

Lithops look like stones

Image via moplants

Lithops belong to succulent plants and are also called as “living stones.” Living stones, why are they called so? These plants look like stones. They derived their name from the Greek word “lithos” meaning stones and “ops” meaning face. These plants camouflage between rocks and hence are called as “pebble plants.”  

Aren’t these really weird plants? Find related articles from the author by visiting http://ukhamba.web.officelive.com/ 

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