Have you ever encountered flowers that look like something else? For example, a little alien, a bird or a stone. Well, it's time to get acquainted with the amazing creations of nature, which have forgotten that they are ordinary plants.
We present you a photo of the most unusual flowers in the world with scientific names and nicknames.
30. Dancing Girls (Impatiens Bequaertii)
These little beauties are named after their appearance. They resemble tiny ladies in white or light pink dresses. These orchids belong to the genus Impatiens, and have the interesting property of rooting wherever the soil touches. This makes the "dancing girls" great indoor plants if you can find them.
29. Swaddled baby, Angouloa uniflora (Anguloa uniflora)
A cute little orchid at a certain flowering period resembles a miniature baby wrapped in diapers. Or a tulip, hence another name - “tulip orchid”.
28. Dragon's shell, achene of snapdragon (Antirrhinum)
Many gardeners love snapdragon for their spectacular look. However, the already faded snapdragon looks like a scattering of miniature skulls.
In ancient times, people believed that the "dragon shell" has mystical power, and if you plant the snapdragons in your garden, it will protect the house from curses and evil.
27. Monkey orchid, monkey dracula (Dracula saulii)
There are at least two species of orchids that look like monkeys. One of them is Dracula saulii, a tiny fluffy white orchid with a monkey face, discovered recently in Peru (2006), the other is Dracula simia - an orchid found in the mountainous regions of Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.
Both of them belong to the genus Dracula, which has 123 species. Not a single plant of this species sucks out blood, and the name was given for its shape, resembling the face of a small dragon and mainly dark colors.
26. Passionflower, Passiflora incarnata (Passiflora incarnata)
The Spanish missionaries, who first saw this beautiful flower, called it a passion flower because of the similarity of its appearance with elements of the story about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
- The triple stigma symbolizes the three nails with which Jesus was nailed to the cross.
- The threadlike fringes of the receptacle are similar to a bloodied crown of thorns.
- Five anthers of an unusual flower - five wounds of Christ.
- Sharp leaves - Longinus spear.
- Antenna - whip, etc.
25. Leucospermum Katerina (Leucospermum catherinae)
This funny flower looks more like a carnival toy than a creation of nature. Few plants can match the brightness of the color with this African miracle.
The most favorable time for leucosperm to bloom is after a drought or fire, when rodents and insects that will impede its growth have been destroyed.
24. Star flower, stapelia grandiflora (Stapelia grandiflora)
Graceful, crimson or dark purple petals of this plant look very unusual and even cute. However, the ugly smell of the Star Flower makes it unsuitable for a gift to a beloved girl.
This is because pollinators of large-flowered stocks are flies, and what could be a better bait for flies than the sweet smell of rotting meat?
23. Ginger Hive (Zingiber spectabile)
One of the strangest flowers in the world looks like a big shot. Its small “cups” or “honeycombs” (actually bracts) collect water and emit ginger aroma. And when flowers bloom on a ginger hive, they resemble little white bees.
22. Pleurothallis fruncata (Pleurothallis truncata)
The unique orchid from the tropics of Ecuador has a bright orange inflorescence in the form of a two-row chain. This funny flower is so rare and strange that it does not even have a nickname.
21. Devil's hand, five-fingered chirantodendron (Chiranthodendron pentadactylon)
This is not just a flower, but a whole tree on which red petals are formed in the form of long clawed fingers resembling the hand of a non-human being.
20. Crab claw, rostral heliconia (Heliconia rostrata)
The charming plant got its name because of red-yellow bracts, similar to crab claws.
19. Desert peas, Swainson beautiful (Swainsona formosa)
Here is a product of severe evolutionary selection - a bright and fragile-looking flower that survives and thrives in a dry, arid climate.
Desert Pea is one of Australia's most famous wildflowers. But you can not tear it without the special written consent of the Australian government.
18. Drum sticks, craspedia spherical (Craspedia globosa)
Funny little balls, as if woven from sunlight, look great in live and dry bouquets. They can be grown not only in the greenhouse, but also on the balcony.
17. Bumblebee orchid, bee-bearing office (Ophrys apifera)
We do not know why this “bumblebee” is so happy, because this flower has no reasons for fun. It is considered one of the endangered species.
16. Fire lily, gloriosa luxurious (Gloriosa superba)
If you are going to grow this plant to decorate your home or garden, make sure that it is out of the reach of your pets and children, because it is poisonous. Ironically, this rare flower is considered an invasive weed in many regions of the Earth.
15. Snake Head, Hydnora africana (Hydnora Africana)
This monstrous looking flower comes from South Africa. The smell of it to match the appearance.
However, in spite of its shortcomings, the African hydra has extremely delicious berries. They are not only tasty, but also healthy, local residents treat them with diseases of the cardiovascular system.
14. Velvichiya mirabilis (Welwitschia mirabilis)
The main thing is to survive! Such a motto could have been inscribed on the coat of arms of Velvichia if it had turned into a medieval knight. The plant is found only in Angola and Namibia - one of the hottest and driest places on Earth.
13. Amorphophallus titanic (Amorphophallus titanum)
This giant flower can grow up to three meters high. It also boasts one of the most disgusting odors in the plant kingdom, making it a poor choice for home.
12. Nepenthes attenboroughii
Some people call this species a “pitcher plant,” while others call it “a monkey pitcher.” The reason for this comparison is the resemblance to a jug created by mother nature.
However, the sweet syrup inside the plant is extremely dangerous for small birds, insects and rodents, as it holds and dissolves creatures that come too close.
11. Trumpet of an angel, Brugmansia (Brugmansia)
A native of South American forests is beautiful, fragrant and extremely poisonous. It is the source of three deadly toxins: atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine, which are essentially psychotropic drugs.
There are many stories about how this gorgeous looking plant was used by criminals and drug addicts who use it to make a drug drink.
10. The beak of a parrot, it is also a spotted lotus (Lotus berthelotii)
As soon as you see this plant, you will understand why its unofficial name is “Parrot Beak”. It seems that many of these bright birds lurked in the grass, or for some reason removed their beaks and forgot to put them on.
One of the rarest flowers in the world (in the wild) was once a true decoration of the Canary Islands. Its bright red or yellowish red flowers pleasantly contrast with silver-green needle-like foliage.
Previously, nectaria birds pollinated it, but they almost died out (with the exception of Africa), and all the efforts of scientists to return the "Beak of the Parrot" to the natural habitat were in vain. In the wild, it is found in single copies, and is listed in the Red Book.
However, this flower is quite successfully grown in flower beds, flower beds, and even at home.
9. Taka-bat, taka-chantrier (Tacca chantrieri)
If Batman wanted to decorate his costume with some fancy flower, then taka chantry would be the perfect option.
This unusual flowering plant is found in Thailand, India, Malaysia and East Asia. It has unique burgundy-black bracts in the shape of bat wings or butterflies, as well as long filamentous antennae.
8. Flower "happy alien", Calceolaria uniflora (Calceolaria uniflora)
«Hello earthlings! I flew in peace", - one of the most unusual colors of the planet could say, if I had such an opportunity.
The uniflora calceolaria looks like an alien with a happy face and an empty white tray in his hands. This unusual shape attracts not only people, but also small birds, such as hummingbirds. They like to eat the white part of the flower, and at the same time help it in pollination.
7. Moth Orchid (Habenaria Radiata)
The shape of this graceful flower that grows in Asia resembles a delicate white butterfly or a small bird. The flowers of the moth orchid are only 4 cm wide.
6. Hot sponges, sublime psychotria (Psychotria Elata)
These gorgeous red, juicy lips belong to a flower found in the tropical forests of Central and South America, such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador.
The plant, apparently, “picked up” such an interesting form of bracts to attract pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies.
5. Flying duck, red-hot orchid (Caleana major)
Amazing Australian flower really resembles a miniature duck in flight. The shape of this orchid helps her attract pollinators.
And the pollination process takes place in a tricky way. Sawmills, similar to wasps, carry out its insects. Inside the “duck’s head” a special substance is developed - an attractant, the composition of which is similar to the pheromones of the female sawflies.
Attracted by this smell, the males sit on a hot pot and become trapped. While the insect flounders frantically, it is covered with pollen, after which the flower releases its prey into the wild. However, the sawflies are not too smart, and the process of "sitting down, grabbing, twitching, letting go" is repeated on the next plant. And again. AND…
4. Elephant Yam, Amorphophallus pionifolia (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)
This unpleasant-looking plant is also distinguished by an extremely vile smell, reminiscent of the stench of rotting meat. Just like one of the nastiest-smelling objects on Earth. However, insect pollinators like this amber, and for elephant yamma this is the main thing.
Amorphophallus pionifolia edible (if you carefully pinch your nose). In some countries in Southeast Asia, its tubers growing up to 16 kg are grown as a delicacy, in China, elephant yam is a medicinal plant, and in the Philippines it is fed to pigs.
3. Italian Orchis (Orchis Italica)
A real macho among the most unusual colors in the world immediately stands out for its lower part. In appearance, it resembles a naked man.
It is interesting that orchis italica flowers are hermaphrodites, that is, they have both male and female organs.
2. Living stone, lithops (Lithops species)
Some plants use toxins to avoid eating. Some use spikes. Lithops survives by pretending to be a stone.
If you plan to collect stones in southern Africa, then most likely you will pick up a couple of these bivalve plants. There are dozens of types of lithops, each of which prefers a certain type of stones to hide among them.
These fun plants can also be grown at home, and then they will reward you with a yellow or white daisy-like flower.
1. Flower of Darth Vader, Salvadoran Circassone (Aristolochia Salvadorensis)
Even before the world saw the first Star Wars trilogy, this flower knew something. Imagine how the Dark Lord adorns his helmet to them, and sighs at the departed youth and love. Or decorates the son’s room, which he carefully prepared on the Death Star, with a slightly ominous kirkason.
But quite a fantasy, back to the facts. The appearance of Salvadoran kirkazon is due to adaptations that ensure its survival. The helmet-like shape and the purple color of the flowers, combined with the powerful aroma of rotting flesh, attract pollinating insects.
Tempted by the smell and appearance of the flower, insects fly through the luminous "eyes" of Darth Vader. The inside of the kircasone is covered with sticky hairs that delay unhappy guests long enough to cover them with pollen. Then the plant releases its victims so that they fly and pollinate more flowers.
