Most Bizarre Flowers in the World
While flowers typically attract to human and insects alike with their enchanting beauty and luscious fragrance, some rather perverse stinking flowers entice flesh and fecal-loving insects to their foul-smelling blooms in the guise of meat by their colors and fetid scents.
1. Rafflesia arnoldii
The largest flower in the world is the rare blood-red Rafflesia arnoldii known as largest individual flower on earth which can grow to 3 feet (90 centimeters) across and weigh up to 24 pounds (11 kilos), found growing on the jungle floor in the rainforests of Indonesia, Malaya, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Philippines.
2. Amorphophallus
Or, Titan Arum
The world’s tallest flower which is actually a cluster of flowers is the Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanium), about 10 feet (3 meters) tall fully-grown, also commonly referred to as the “corpse flower.”The enormous flower grows from a corm of up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) diameter, weighing over 110 pounds (50 kilos). After a dormant period of several months, a bud will develop, growing at a rate of 1.5 to 8 inches (4 to 20) centimeters a day.
Stapelia are small, low growing, spineless, cactus-like succulent carrion flower plants. The flowers are usually flesh-colored, hairy to varying degrees and emit the odor of rotten flesh. Blooms in some species can grow very large, notably Stapelia gigantea which can reach 16 inches (41 centimeters) in diameter.
Hydnora africana is a is parasitic plant on the roots of the Euphorbiaceae species that grows underground in arid deserts of South Africa, except for a flower that grows above ground.The fleshy colored flower emerges above the sandy ground which emits an odor of feces to attract its natural pollinators, dung beetles, and carrion beetles in droves.
Helicodiceros muscivorus, also known as the Dead horse arum lily is an ornamental plant native to the northwestern Mediterranean region that reproduces the stench of rotting meat, attracting carrion-seeking blowflies which act as pollinators.
Sometimes known as Voodoo lily, the dracunculus vulgaris is a species of aroid in the genus Dracunculus. The species is distinguished by a large purple spathe and spadix, and gives off a very unpleasant smell reminiscent of a carcass to attract its pollinators of Lucilia flies, amongst others.
Western Skunk Cabbage it’s called Yellow Skunk Cabbage or Swamp Lantern too which known as such due to the malodorous, distinctive “skunky” odor it emits which permeates the area where it grows, and can be detected even in old, dried specimens. The foul odor attracts its pollinators, scavenging flies and beetles. It’s found in swamps and wet woods, along streams and in other wet areas of the Pacific Northwest, U.S.
Eastern Skunk Cabbage, Clumpfoot Cabbage, Foetid Pothos, Meadow Cabbage, Polecat Weed, or Swamp Cabbage, commonly known as simply Skunk Cabbage, is a low growing, foul smelling plant that prefers wetlands.
Arum maculatum is a common woodland plant species of the Araceae family known by numerous common names including Wild arum, Lords and Ladies, Jack in the Pulpit, Devils and Angels, Cows and Bulls, Cuckoo-Pint, Adam and Eve, Bobbins, Naked Boys, Starch-Root and Wake Robin.
Aristolochia is a large plant genus with over 500 species. Collectively known as birthworts, pipevines or Dutchman’s pipes, they’re the namesake of the family Aristolochiaceae. They are widespread and occur in the most diverse climates. Some species, like A. utriformis and A. westlandii, are threatened with extinction.
Aristolochia clematitis — known as (European) Birthwort — is a herbaceous plant in the Aristolochiaceae family, native to Europe and occasionally found established outside of its native range as a relic of cultivation. The leaves are heart shaped and the flowers are pale yellow and tubular in form.
Aristolochia gigantea — it’s also known as Brazilian Dutchman’s Pipe or Giant Pelican Flower — is an ornamental plant native to Brazil, typical of Bahia and Minas Gerais vegetation.
Aristolochia grandiflora or Pelican Flower is a deciduous vine with enormous flowers that emit an odor that humans consider unpleasant but is attractive to insects such as butterflies. They confine their visiting flies until the male flowers are mature.
Ceropegias are an interesting group of plants that have many common names including lantern flower, parasol flower, parachute flower, bushman’s pipe, string of hearts, snake creeper, wine-glass vine, rosary vine, necklace vine and condom flower which produces striking, malodorous blossoms shaped like a wine glass, often with glistening cilia to attract flies.
The world’s tallest flower which is actually a cluster of flowers is the Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanium), about 10 feet (3 meters) tall fully-grown, also commonly referred to as the “corpse flower.”The enormous flower grows from a corm of up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) diameter, weighing over 110 pounds (50 kilos). After a dormant period of several months, a bud will develop, growing at a rate of 1.5 to 8 inches (4 to 20) centimeters a day.
3. Stapelia
Or, Star Flower
Stapelia are small, low growing, spineless, cactus-like succulent carrion flower plants. The flowers are usually flesh-colored, hairy to varying degrees and emit the odor of rotten flesh. Blooms in some species can grow very large, notably Stapelia gigantea which can reach 16 inches (41 centimeters) in diameter.
4. Hydnora africana
Hydnora africana is a is parasitic plant on the roots of the Euphorbiaceae species that grows underground in arid deserts of South Africa, except for a flower that grows above ground.The fleshy colored flower emerges above the sandy ground which emits an odor of feces to attract its natural pollinators, dung beetles, and carrion beetles in droves.
The flowers act as traps for a brief period retaining the beetles that enter, then releases them when the flower is fully opened.
5. Helicodiceros muscivorus
Or, Dead horse arum lily
Helicodiceros muscivorus, also known as the Dead horse arum lily is an ornamental plant native to the northwestern Mediterranean region that reproduces the stench of rotting meat, attracting carrion-seeking blowflies which act as pollinators.
One of a rare group of thermogenic plants, the Dead Horse Arum can raise its temperature by thermogenesis which helps to lure flies into the plant to contact its pollen.
6. Dracunculus vulgaris
Or, Voodoo lily
Sometimes known as Voodoo lily, the dracunculus vulgaris is a species of aroid in the genus Dracunculus. The species is distinguished by a large purple spathe and spadix, and gives off a very unpleasant smell reminiscent of a carcass to attract its pollinators of Lucilia flies, amongst others.
The plant traps them in its own inflorescence for 1 night and the next day it releases them with a load of pollen. It was introduced to the U.S. from another country or countries and is currently found in the states of Oregon, California and Tennessee as well as the country of Puerto Rico. The natural habitats of this strange flower are in Europe around the Balkans
7. Lysichiton americanus
Or, Western Skunk Cabbage
Western Skunk Cabbage it’s called Yellow Skunk Cabbage or Swamp Lantern too which known as such due to the malodorous, distinctive “skunky” odor it emits which permeates the area where it grows, and can be detected even in old, dried specimens. The foul odor attracts its pollinators, scavenging flies and beetles. It’s found in swamps and wet woods, along streams and in other wet areas of the Pacific Northwest, U.S.
8. Symplocarpus foetidus
Or, Eastern Skunk Cabbage
Eastern Skunk Cabbage, Clumpfoot Cabbage, Foetid Pothos, Meadow Cabbage, Polecat Weed, or Swamp Cabbage, commonly known as simply Skunk Cabbage, is a low growing, foul smelling plant that prefers wetlands.
The large leaves grow 16 to 22 inches (40 to 55 centimeters) long and 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 centimeters) broad. It flowers early in the year while there is still snow and ice on the ground when only the flowers are visible above the mud, with the stems buried below and the leaves emerging later.
9. Arum maculatum
Or, Jack in the Pulpit
Arum maculatum is a common woodland plant species of the Araceae family known by numerous common names including Wild arum, Lords and Ladies, Jack in the Pulpit, Devils and Angels, Cows and Bulls, Cuckoo-Pint, Adam and Eve, Bobbins, Naked Boys, Starch-Root and Wake Robin.
Its purple spotted leaves appear in the spring followed by the flowers borne on a poker shaped inflorescence purple spadix which is partially enclosed in a pale green spathe or leaf-like hood. The flowers are hidden from sight, clustered at the base of the spadix with a ring of female flowers at the bottom and a ring of male flowers above them.
10. Aristolochia
Aristolochia is a large plant genus with over 500 species. Collectively known as birthworts, pipevines or Dutchman’s pipes, they’re the namesake of the family Aristolochiaceae. They are widespread and occur in the most diverse climates. Some species, like A. utriformis and A. westlandii, are threatened with extinction.
Many species of Aristolochia are food for larvae of Lepidoptera, namely swallowtail butterflies. These become unpalatable to most predators by eating the plants.
11. Aristolochia clematitis
Or, Birthwort
Aristolochia clematitis — known as (European) Birthwort — is a herbaceous plant in the Aristolochiaceae family, native to Europe and occasionally found established outside of its native range as a relic of cultivation. The leaves are heart shaped and the flowers are pale yellow and tubular in form.
This poisonous plant was formerly used as a medicinal plant — recent study suggests that it’s the cause for thousands of kidney failures in Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia where the plant is unintentionally consumed through flour.
12. Aristolochia gigantean
Or, Brazilian Dutchman’s Pipe
Aristolochia gigantea — it’s also known as Brazilian Dutchman’s Pipe or Giant Pelican Flower — is an ornamental plant native to Brazil, typical of Bahia and Minas Gerais vegetation.
Many species have ingenious insect traps and malodorous, often nauseating stenches when the blossoms first open. One of the largest and most bizarre flowers on earth is the Brazilian Dutchman’s pipe.
13. Aristolochia grandiflora
Or, Pelican Flower
Aristolochia grandiflora or Pelican Flower is a deciduous vine with enormous flowers that emit an odor that humans consider unpleasant but is attractive to insects such as butterflies. They confine their visiting flies until the male flowers are mature.
These flowers have a specialized pollination mechanism — the inner part of the perianth tube is covered with hairs, acting as a fly-trap which eventually withers to release the fly, covered with pollen. The plant is native to the Caribbean, and has been introduced to Florida in the United States
14. Ceropegias
Ceropegias are an interesting group of plants that have many common names including lantern flower, parasol flower, parachute flower, bushman’s pipe, string of hearts, snake creeper, wine-glass vine, rosary vine, necklace vine and condom flower which produces striking, malodorous blossoms shaped like a wine glass, often with glistening cilia to attract flies.
The flowers have a tubular corolla with 5 petals most often fused at the tips, forming an umbrella-like canopy, a cage, or appendage-like antennae. The flower tubes are lined with small hairs that point downward to form a trap for small flies that are attracted by their odor.
By this article are described shortly, some of the largest and most bizarre flowers in the world.
Sources: BBC and Wikipedia
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