30 Rare and Exotic Flowers You Have to See to Believe
Flowers are beautiful, delicate, and come in a wide range of colors and shapes that are a beautiful sight to behold. However, there are some rare and exotic flowers that are so beautiful, they seem almost otherworldly. These unique flowers come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, but they all have one thing in common; they are a stunning display of nature’s creativity. Here are 30 rare and exotic flowers that you have to see to believe.
1. Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii): This rare, endangered orchid is found only in Florida and Cuba. It has a ghost-like appearance due to its translucent petals, and it requires specific pollinators to successfully reproduce.
2. Corpse Flower (Titan Arum): This towering Indonesian plant is famed for its incredibly foul-smelling blooms, which are only open for 24-48 hours. Although the odor has been described as “dead bodies,” the flowers are a visually striking dark red.
3. Chengdu Gladiolus (Gladiolus dalenii): This stunning flower is native to the forests of China’s Sichuan province. Its bright, triangular blooms are a beautiful blend of yellow and orange with maroon spots.
4. Blue Poppy (Meconopsis): This Himalayan native features a vibrant blue, papery flower that is almost dreamlike in appearance. It’s a notoriously difficult plant to grow, making it a prized possession among gardeners.
5. Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus): Not only is this Mediterranean plant beautifully delicate with its long, thin petals, but it is also the source of the world’s most expensive spice – saffron.
6. Spider Orchid (Caladenia): This Australian endemic is named for the long, slender petals that resemble spider legs. They come in various colors, but the most striking are the bright pink and purple ones.
7. Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri): This tropical plant has a flower that resembles a bat in flight. Its long, black “ears” surround bright purple petals.
8. Exotic Himalayan Lily (Gloriosa superba): This gorgeous lily species comes in shades of red and yellow with long, thin, and curling petals. It originates from tropical regions of Africa and Asia.
9. Monkey Orchid (Dracula simia): This Colombian species of orchid resembles an adorable monkey’s face. Its unique flower has long petals that resemble monkey ears and the face-like patterning of the flower petals.
10. Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta): This tree is native to Southeast Asia and is commonly known as the Mindanao gum, or rainbow gum. The bark of this beautiful tree peels off in multicolored layers, revealing patches of bright green, blue, purple, orange, and maroon.
11. Dragon’s Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari): This strange-looking tree is native to the Socotra archipelago in Yemen. The sap of the dragon’s blood tree is used for medicinal purposes.
12. Devil’s Claw Plant (Proboscidea louisianica): This unusual desert plant originated from the southern states of the United States and has red-orange flowers that curve and spiral, giving them a devilish look.
13. Parrot’s Beak (Lotus berthelotii): This Canary Island native features bright orange, curving flowers that look like a parrot’s beak. It’s a sought-after plant for gardeners due to its unique form.
14. Flying Duck Orchid (Caleana major): This Australian orchid may look ordinary from a distance, but up close, its flower has a remarkable resemblance to a duck in flight.
15. Queen of the Andes (Puya raimondii): This enormous plant native to the Andes has a towering blossom that blooms once in a lifetime at the end of its 80-year lifespan. The green and yellow flowers grow up to five meters tall, and they are a gorgeous sight to behold.
16. Venus Slipper (Paphiopedilum): This tropical plant has a striking flower with a unique shape and a furry lip that attracts pollinators. They come in different colors, including white, pink, and vibrant red.
17. Koki’o (Kokia cookei): This Hawaiian plant is critically endangered and has a beautiful, bright red bloom. It’s one of the rarest flowers in the world, with fewer than 30 plants left in the wild.
18. Rafflesia arnoldii: This rare, giant flower native to Indonesia smells rotten but has a striking and unusual beauty. These flowers only bloom for a few days and can reach up to one meter in diameter.
19. Black Bat Lily: This African plant’s flowers look like two tiny bat wings forming an open triangle. They are black and have a velvety texture – hence the name.
20. Sturt’s Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa): This Australian endemic plant features unique, bright red flowers with a black center. They are the official flower of South Australia.
21. Sea Poison Tree (Barringtonia asiatica): This tropical plant has beautiful, white blossoms that resemble fireworks exploding on a dark night. The tree is found throughout the Indo-West Pacific region.
22. Fire and Ice (Helleborus x hybridus): This plant has unique and striking flowers in shades of white and pink. It’s a perennial and is commonly found in gardens or as a potted plant.
23. Night Blooming Cereus (Selenicereus grandiflorus): This unique cactus species has large, white flowers that bloom only at night. They are a sight to behold when they open, and they have an alluring fragrance.
24. Yellow and Pink Mariposa (Calochortus luteus and Calochortus maweanus): These two Californian natives are small but striking, with bright petals in shades of pink and yellow.
25. Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis): This delicate plant has stunning, pink, heart-shaped flowers that have a tendency to droop. They are commonly grown in gardens or as a cut flower.
26. Globe Thistle (Echinops sphaerocephalus): This plant has striking blue or white globular blooms that resemble an exploded fireworks display.
27. Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia littoralis): This plant has long, tubular flowers that resemble a Dutchman’s pipe or a curved horn. It’s a popular ornamental plant.
28. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia): This plant’s intricate and colorful flowers are named after a bird’s resemblance when it is in flight.
29. Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes): This carnivorous plant has a unique appearance with its tall, curved leaves that resemble pitchers. It attracts and traps insects, making it a favorite for botanical enthusiasts.
30. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis): This orchid species has brilliantly white, delicate flowers that resemble a moth hovering in flight. It’s a popular houseplant and is commonly kept in homes.
In conclusion, these rare and exotic flowers are a stunning display of natural beauty. From carnivorous plants to towering trees with multicolored bark, these plants come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Each of these flowers has a unique story to tell, and they are sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who sees them.