Girlfriend Kiss (Palicourea elata)

While the small yellow flower of the girlfriend kiss plant isn’t anything special, the bright red bracts surrounding the bloom are unlike anything else you’ve ever seen…except for a pair of lips, of course. This plant is extremely sensitive to environmental conditions and is rarely found outside of its native habitat in South and Central America. And since its native rainforest environment is being threatened by deforestation, this plant has become endangered.

Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri)

It’s uncommon to find a black flower. It’s extraordinarily rare to come across a dark flower as strange looking as the black bat flower. These plants are native to Southeast Asia, where they grow in the understories of forests. Bat plants also come in other colors, but there’s something magical about this one.

Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin)

Also known as mimosa trees, these small trees produce silky flowers that resemble little pom-poms. If that’s not enough of a reason to love them, they have a uniquely sweet fragrance. Although these trees are native to much of Asia, they have become invasive in parts of the United States. So keep that in mind before you add one of these trees to your yard.

Surprise Lily (Lycoris spp.)

While many plants produce leaves then flower shortly after, surprise lilies do things a bit differently. After you place bulbs in the ground, the plants will send up leaves that later die back. At this point, you may believe your plant is a dud. However, a few months later, the plants send up tall stalks topped with stunning flowers.

Stinking Corpse Lily (Rafflesia arnoldii)

Yes, there’s more than one flower that smells like a rotting corpse! Also known as the corpse flower or giant padma. This plant puts out a strong stench in order to attract the carrion flies that act as pollinators. It parasitizes a member of the grape family and does not have leaves, roots, or stems. It’s also the largest single flower on Earth!

Corpse Flower (Titan arum)

Although it’s native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, you may be able to find the corpse flower in botanical gardens around the world. It takes this plant seven to ten years to obtain enough energy to bloom, and each humongous flower lasts for only one to two days. Plus, the flower smells like rotting flesh!

Lobster Claws (Heliconia spp.)

The majority of the species in this group of flowering plants is native to tropical regions in South and Central America, but some species are native to Southeast Asia. Some species have an upright growth pattern, causing their cup-shaped colorful bracts to catch water. Other types of Heliconia produce hanging flowers.

Sea Holly (Eryngium spp.)

This genus of plants has spiky blue flowers that look a bit like thistles. The spiky cones are surrounded by serrated bracts, giving the flowers a frightening yet alluring appearance. As a bonus, sea holly flowers work great in bouquets!

Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia spp.)

While there are a wide variety of pitcher plants, this genus of trump pitchers is native to North America. These interesting plants have a long funnel made out of modified leaves. A combination of the plant’s appearance and scent lure tiny insects which then fall inside the pitcher, where the plant digests the prey. The plants also produce flowers with interesting umbrella-shaped styles that catch falling pollen.

Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis)

Also known as the imperial fritillary or upside-down tulip, the crown imperial looks a little like it got its directions mixed up. However, this plant is known for its gorgeous downward-facing flowers. The plant is native to regions in the Middle East and South Asia, but it can be grown elsewhere.

Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)

Native to forests in China, the bleeding heart plant will thrive in many temperate gardens. These large, herbaceous plants produce hundreds of pink flowers that resemble the namesake bleeding hearts. Since these plants thrive in shade, they make a great addition to forest understories or shade gardens.

Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus)

You may already have some pink or white cosmos flowers in your garden. But how about chocolate cosmos? These tuberous perennials are native to Mexico, where they thrive in sunny and dry environments. With the right care, these plants will produce handfuls of dark red blooms that smell like chocolate! While they may smell enticing, these flowers don’t taste like the candy bars we love.

Himalayan Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia)

While flowers come in all kinds of colors, true blue blooms can be a bit difficult to find. Himalayan poppy flowers bloom for only a few days, but they make a stunning display while they last. Like most poppies, you can grow the delicate flowers from seed. However, before you plant these flowers in your garden, you should be aware they can be a bit difficult to grow.

Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

While this flowering vine is native to the Southeastern United States, it certainly provides an exotic look! Since each flower blooms for only a day, it’s a treat to come across the wild blooms. If left to mature, the flowers will transform into sweet and juicy passionfruit. The purple passionflower is also the state flower of Tennessee – check this out if you’re interested in learning all 50 state flowers.

Lady’s Slipper Orchids (Cypripedium spp.)

Although these flowers are orchids, they look quite different from the ones you may have growing in your home. They emerge from forest floors across the United States and other temperate areas, but finding one can take some patience as well as knowledge of your local area. There are numerous species of lady’s slippers, including the showy lady’s slipper pictured above.

Jade Vine (Strongylodon Macrobotrys)

Native to the Philippines, the jade vine produces hanging clusters that can contain up to 75 of the stunning turquoise flowers. Since the flowers resemble claws, the plant also goes by the name tiger claws. The hanging flowers are pollinated by bats, but deforestation in the Philippines is threatening both the flowers and the bats.

Darwin’s Slippers (Calceolaria uniflora)

A member of the slipperwort family, this plant is native to the southern tip of South America. While the name suggests the flowers look like a pair of slippers, some people think they resemble flocks of orange penguins or aliens with their mouths wide open. These plants are quite rare, and it’s not uncommon to find counterfeit seeds.

Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii)

While the ghost orchid’s white flowers are unique, what really sets it apart is its lack of leaves. Unlike most plants, this orchid photosynthesizes via its roots rather than its leaves! Like a ghost, it can be a bit elusive to find since the species is endangered in its native habitat of Florida and Cuba.

Catherine-Wheel Pincushion (Leucospermum catherinae)

A type of protea, this flower is perhaps the most attractive member of the group of fireworks pincushion flowers. While you may think the elongated portions are petals, they are actually individual flowers. This protea species is considered endangered in its native South Africa.

Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)

Catching a glimpse of this cactus’ blooms, also known as Kadupul flowers, takes a fair bit of patience. Not only do the plants rarely bloom, but the flowers emerge at night and wither by dawn. While the plants are native to Mexico and South America, you can grow them indoors. Additionally, cultivated plants have escaped and can now be found throughout countries like Sri Lanka.

They are the most diverse insect species.

Beetles, belonging to the order Coleoptera, are incredibly diverse insects that comprise a quarter of all known living organisms! There are an estimated 400,000 identified species of beetles, with so many species yet to be discovered1. Among them, there are size variations that would make your jaw drop.

On one end of the scale, we have the almost invisible feather-winged beetles, no larger than 0.01 inches. The Fringed Ant Beetle (Nymphister Kronaueri) is the smallest known beetle and measures around 0.25 millimeters in length. On the other end, the Goliath Beetle, which can grow to 6.7 inches and weigh 1.8 ounces, is one of the longest and heaviest insects in the world.

Furthermore, beetles live in almost every habitat except the extreme polar regions. They live in the driest deserts and the wettest tropical rainforests!

Their horns are their most prominent feature

Our next rhinoceros fact talks about the animal’s name origin.

The term "rhinoceros" originates from two Greek words: "rhinos," meaning "nose," and "keras," meaning "horn." These animals have a prominent horn on their nose, which gives them their name. However, these horns aren't just decorative; they serve as the rhino's first line of defense. Black, white, and Sumatran rhinoceroses have two horns, with the larger one being called the anterior horn, and can grow up to 59 inches.

The posterior horn is shorter and can grow up to 22 inches. Besides self-defense, rhino horns are also for practical purposes such as digging for water and breaking branches2. Indian and Javan rhinos use their single horns in the same way.

The most beautiful nature picture

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Monet’s Gardens, Giverny, France

The Four Most Exotic Animals in the World

Earth is home to an immense variety of living beings and animals, many with qualities which make them very rare and special. If you go looking, you will come across all kinds of insects, fish, birds and mammals which will fascinate you, and sometimes even make you shiver with fear.

Enjoy the most delicious and nutritious tropical fruit at your home easily by growing Jackfruit plant

Enjoy the most delicious and nutritious tropical fruit at your home easily by growing Jackfruit plant.

Jackfruit erect evergreen perennial tree in Moraceae family. Leaves are dark green, alternate, glossy and somewhatleathery, fairly large and oval in shape. Flowers are short, stout and emerges from the trunk and large branches. The Jackfruit is a multiple fruit that is composed ofthe coherence of multiple flowe

Meet Aurora, The Most Beautiful And Fluffiest Princess Cat Ever

Meet Aurora, The Most Beautiful And Fluffiest Princess Cat Ever

Iriss And Abyss, The Most Beautiful Twin Cats In The World

Iriss And Abyss – The Most Beautiful Twin Cats In The World

Coby With The Most Beautiful Eyes Ever

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Meet Smoothie, World’s Most Photogenic Cat

Meet Smoothie, World’s Most Photogenic Cat

Most beautiful high-angle photography of seashore

high-angle photography of seashore

Sunny days in Catalonia

Published on October 9, 2019 (UTC)
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