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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.