Unveiling the Mysteries of 30 Rare and Exotic Flower Types
As humans, our love for flowers has been consistently evident since time immemorial. Whether it’s for gifting, decoration, or aesthetic appeal, flowers have always been an integral part of our lives. However, while we are familiar with popular and commonly found flowers like roses, daisies or sunflowers, there exist several flower types, which are exotic and rare.
In this article, we will be delving into some of the lesser-known and unique flower types that are guaranteed to leave you amazed.
1. Balloon Flower – Also known as Platycodon grandiflorus, this flower, as the name suggests, resembles a balloon. The buds are inflated, and when they open, they reveal star-shaped flowers in shades of blue, pink, and white.
2. Cockscomb – Celosia cristata, commonly known as cockscomb, is an annual plant that produces brightly coloured flowers. The flower’s name comes from its resemblance to the comb of a rooster.
3. Chocolate Cosmos – Cosmos atrosanguineus, also called chocolate cosmos, produces deep burgundy flowers with a chocolate-like fragrance.
4. Corpse Flower – Amorphophallus titanum or the corpse flower, produces large flowers that emit an unpleasant odour similar to that of rotting flesh.
5. Cup and Saucer Vine – Cobaea scandens or Cup and Saucer Vine, produces bell-shaped flowers that resemble cups and saucers. The flowers come in hues of white, pink, and purple.
6. Dragon Arum – Dracunculus vulgaris is a unique flower that produces a spadix (a fleshy spike) covered in tiny flowers and surrounded by a deep purple spathe.
7. Four O’Clocks – Mirabilis jalapa, also called the four-o’clocks, is a fragrant flowering plant whose petals come in a variety of colours, including pink, purple, and yellow.
8. Ghost Orchid – The ghost orchid, also known by the scientific name Dendrophylax lindenii, grows primarily in Florida and the Caribbean. The flower is rare and almost translucent, giving it an eerie appearance.
9. Gloriosa Lily – Gloriosa superba, also known as the gloriosa lily, produces striking, fire-coloured petals that curl back like flames.
10. Golden Rain Tree – Koelreuteria paniculata is a flowering tree that produces clusters of yellow flowers.
11. Jerusalem Sage – Phlomis fruticosa is a shrub that produces yellow flowers in the shape of large, open-mouthed cups.
12. Ladies Slipper Orchid – The lady’s slipper orchid has a unique shape resembling a slipper. These orchids have become very rare and are greatly sought after amongst collectors.
13. Lion’s Tail – Leonotis leonurus or Lion’s tail, produces long, orange and yellow flowers that resemble a lion’s tail.
14. Naked Lady – Amaryllis belladonna, also called the naked lady, produces large, pink, trumpet-shaped flowers with no leaves emerging from the ground.
15. Orchid Cactus – Epiphyllum oxypetalum, also known as the orchid cactus, produces large, fragrant flowers in shades of pink, white, and red.
16. Peacock Flower – The peacock flower or Caesalpinia pulcherrima, is a native to the Caribbean and Latin America. This flowering shrub produces bright red-orange and yellow flowers with a unique shape.
17. Pitcher Plant – Sarracenia or the pitcher plant, attracts and captures prey in modified leaves that are shaped like pitchers. These plants are carnivorous.
18. Porcelain Berry – Ampelopsis brevipedunculata or porcelain berry, produces clusters of multicoloured berries in shades of blue, purple, and pink.
19. Queen of the Night – A night-blooming cereus, the queen of the night produces exquisite white flowers that emit a potent fragrance.
20. Rafflesia – The Rafflesia arnoldii is the world’s largest flower, and it smells like rotting flesh!
21. Resurrection Lily – Lycoris radiata, also called resurrection lily, produces red flowers on stems devoid of leaves.
22. Rock Rose – Cistus or rock rose, is a low-growing shrub that produces delicate flowers in hues of pink, white, and purple.
23. Sea Holly – Eryngium, also known as sea holly, produces blue, bristly flowers on blue-grey stems.
24. Snake Gourd Flower – Trichosanthes cucumerina produces large, white, fragrant flowers that resemble snake gourds.
25. Stanhopea Orchid – Stanhopea is a genus of tropical American orchids that produces fragrant and large flowers, often in shades of brown, purple or green.
26. Venus Flytrap – Dionaea muscipula or the Venus flytrap, traps and feeds upon small insects.
27. Wax Plant – Hoya spp. is a climbing plant that produces clusters of small, fragrant, and waxy flowers.
28. White Bat Plant – Tacca integrifolia or the white bat plant, produces unusual and elusive flowers resembling a bat.
29. White Trillium – Trillium grandiflorum or the white trillium, produces large, white, three-petaled flowers with prominent green centres.
30. Yellow Stargrass – Hypoxis hirsuta, also called yellow stargrass or eastern star, produces bright yellow flowers with thin petals.
In conclusion, the flower world is vast and diverse, filled with various shapes, colours, and fragrances. We hope this article has shed some light on the lesser-known and unique flower types that add beauty and intrigue to the natural world.