Ever come across a flower that seems far too crazy and colourful to be real?
Perhaps you’re lucky enough to have spotted a weird and wonderful bloom on an exotic holiday, or been left mesmerised by one of David Attenborough’s fabulous floral finds during yet another Netflix documentary binge?
Our amazing natural world is brimming with funky flowers, but thousands of them elude us due to their rarity or remoteness. Jetting off on a round the world trip for a spot of botany isn’t always possible, so the Blossoming Gifts brigade thought we’d bring some of these hidden treasures to you.
It’s time for a tour of some bizarrely beautiful botany!
Monkey Face Orchid
Dracula simia
It’s both cute and creepy how much this rare South American orchid looks like a monkey – and no, it’s not a clever Photoshop job! It smells like ripe oranges (mmm!) and can be found in the cloud forests of Ecuador and Peru. You’ll need to lace up your hiking boots to see it, as it grows on the side of mountains at an altitude of 2000 metres.
Flame Lily
Gloriosa
It’s easy to see why Zimbabwe’s national flower has such a fiery name. Otherwise known as Gloriosa (meaning ‘full of glory’), this bright red and yellow plant can grow three metres tall and thrives in sand dunes and savannahs. Her Maj was presented with a flame lily diamond brooch when she visited the country shortly before becoming queen, the lucky thing!
Hooker’s Lips
Psychotria Elata
Head to the rainforests of central and South America if you want to catch a glimpse of this sexy red plant. Its red bracts look just like juicy red lips, which helps it to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and rare golden silk moths. Predictably, it is a popular love token on Valentine’s Day, but sadly, it is now critically endangered due to continued deforestation.
Naked Man Orchid
Orchis italica
It’s impossible not to crack a smile when you learn that, yes, there really is an orchid that looks just like a naked man, complete with dangly bits! It’s common throughout the Mediterranean countries and is usually a shade of pink. In Italy, it is believed to aid virility if eaten, and funnily enough, the name ‘orchis’ means ‘testicles’…
Black Bat
Tacca chantrieri
This seriously spooky bloom, native to tropical Asia, is actually a member of the yam family (a starchy root veg). Its big, deep purple flowers are shaped like flying bats and it has long, whisker-like tendrils. One for a quirky Halloween outfit?
Corpse Lily
Rafflesia arnoldii
Let’s stick with the gothic theme for a little longer. Not only does this giant Indonesian plant look monstrous, but it also stinks of rotting flesh. It produces the largest single bloom of any flower on the planet (up to a metre across!) and grows on rainforest floors. It’s reddish, smelly and warm to attract corpse-eating insects – gross, we know, but luckily it only lives for 36 hours.
Flying Duck Orchid
Caleana major
Don’t say we don’t spoil you, because here’s a second orchid that looks like an animal! This beauty hails from the eucalyptus woodlands of southern and eastern Australia, where it produces flowers that look just like flying ducks. It featured on the country’s postage stamps in the 1980s but is now on its vulnerable plant list due to habitat loss.
Lobster Claw
Heliconia
You’d be forgiven for mistaking this evergreen hanging plant, also called the parrot flower or false bird of paradise, for very sunburnt bananas! It’s found in South America, from Bolivia to Colombia, and produces lots of yummy nectar for all those brightly-coloured hummingbirds to nosh.
Devil’s Hand
Chiranthodendron pentadactylon
Ooh err, here’s another scary one. This deep red Mexican flower is shaped just like the devil’s hand, complete with five stamens branching out like clawed fingers. The Aztecs used it to treat heart problems and abdominal pain, but once again, it’s tragically becoming endangered.
Ballerina Orchid
Caladenia melanema
Easily our prettiest pick, this delicate orchid resembles a dancing ballerina in a blush pink gown. It grows in sand near salt lakes in Australia and is so elusive that few humans have seen it in the wild. Unfortunately, kangaroos and rabbits like to eat it, posing a threat to its survival :(.
Desert Pea
Swainsona formosa
Head back down under to scout out this funny little flower with its blood red leaves and boggle-eyed black centres. The floral emblem of the state of South Australia, its deep taproot allows it to survive in the barren desert. Koori legend has it that the desert pea sprung up on the spot where a jealous old man killed his young wife and her lover.
Swaddled Babies
Anguloa
How adorable is this creamy orchid that resembles a swaddled newborn baby? It’s native to the mountainous forests of South America and has an alluringly cinnamon scent. Shhh, don’t wake it up…
Unusual Flowers for Your Home
Sadly, most of these strange flowers aren’t ones you can have at home (and in the case of the corpse lily, probably not something you’d want there anyway!)
But don’t worry – if you’ve got a craving for some unusual flowers, we’ve got you covered. Okay, they’re not quite as odd as the Flying Duck Orchid, but they’re still a bit different from your everyday bouquet…
Blue Roses
Did you know that blue is the rarest colour for flowers? Just 10% of the world’s flowering plants produce blue blooms, and if you want to get technical about it, even those are actually shades of violet or purple!
If you love the colour blue, you’re in luck. Our unusual Blue Roses are the perfect way to add a pop of vibrant blue into your home.
Rainbow Lilies
These multicoloured lilies are sure to dazzle your loved ones! Spectacularly colourful and fragrant, it’s like having a bunch of miniature rainbows in your home. Want to know the secrets behind these vibrant beauties? Check out our article to learn more about rainbow flowers.
Not a fan of lilies? Try our Rainbow Roses instead.
Black Roses
Can’t get enough of the spooky Black Bat plant? If you love all things dark and gothic, our alluring Black Roses will be right up your street.
Pretty cool, huh? You’ll find some equally crazy plants and flowers on Blossoming Gifts, including lush and tropical house plants, the towering Dendrobium Orchid and our dazzling Rainbow Roses. Send an extraordinary gift to a loved one today.
