There are always fanciful animal stories, both on land and at water. Unusual plants, on the other hand, are quite rare and depart from the norm. You’ll encounter some of the strangest plant life on Earth. You will be motivated to tell your friends and family about what you have learned since they are so odd. These plants do more than just photosynthesize; they also produce blossoms with flowers that draw bees and other insects. It is still unclear how certain plants were able to evolve in such strange ways. Continue reading to learn about some of the most peculiar plant species that exist today.
Native to Yemen, the Socotra Dragon tree, also called the Dragon’s Blood tree, produces sap that resembles blood.
The dragon tree, also known as the dragon blood tree, is found in the Socotra archipelago, which is a part of Yemen and is located in the Arabian Sea. The red sap that the trees produce, which resembles blood, is the source of the name.
The crown of the dragon blood tree is “upturned, tightly packed, and has the shape of an uprightly held umbrella,” giving it a peculiar and unusual look. The term “dragon’s blood” refers to the dark crimson resin that gives this evergreen shrub its name. Dracaena has secondary growth, which is uncommon in monocot plants. D. cinnabari even possesses growth zones that resemble the tree rings observed in dicot tree species. It has a unique growth pattern known as the “dracoid habitus,” which it shares with other arborescent Dracaena species. Its leaves are only located at the tips of its youngest branches and are entirely shed every three to four years before fresh leaves also mature at the same time. Branching often happens when the terminal bud’s development is halted, either by blooming or by traumatic circumstances.
The Shyest Plant You’ll Ever Find
Its behavior while in touch with people has earned it the moniker “the shy plant.” The leaves of the compound tree, also called Mimosa pudica, close when touched. It will remain shut off for some time before reopening. The shy plant also behaves similarly as the sun sets, maybe to prevent moisture from evaporating from its leaves. The picture shows how the plant may close its leaves when it is touched.
A Plant from Science Fiction
This plant resembles something that would come from another planet. Hydnora africana is a plant that acts more like a flea or tick than a typical plant. It interacts parasitically with other plants. It adheres to their roots and spreads underground, absorbing all of the nutrients in the soil. The sole part of the plant that is visible, the flower, emits an odor mimicking faeces to entice particular insects. Whenever they get close enough, the bloom then engulfs them. It unexpectedly doesn’t eat them.
Plants that Use Pollen Distribution Plans
The parachute flower’s distinctive shape does indeed resemble a billowing parachute. Because of its peculiar shape, it begs the question of why there are so few leaves and no blossoms on it.
Its design allows it to flourish. The minute features at the core of the “flower” emit a fragrance that attracts insects. The beetle is then held there until the bloom dries up. As it runs away, the beetle will bring pollen from the plant with it, helping to fertilize further plants.
Animal Consuming Plants
The term “flypaper” refers to the plant. It goes by the moniker of butterworts but is only a carnivore. Small, very sticky hairs cover the surface, making it difficult for small insects to escape. The plant then consumes them to keep itself alive. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have one of these around your home if you have an insect problem. All the spiders and flies that could be troubling your home will be eliminated by them.
You Won’t Steal Any Home Runs With This Plant
Because of the way it appeared, the baseball plant acquired its name. Not only is it spherical in form, but the leaves also have the appearance of being sewn together. It was harvested in South Africa and is from there because of the odd way it looks. There will be fewer of them in the wild as committed gardeners work to include them in their landscaping. Being a succulent, it probably has a water-retentive body. The baseball plant doesn’t need a lot of moisture because it could get root rot otherwise.
Another Plant That Cannot Perish
This plant, sometimes known as the Rose of Jericho, is skilled at protecting itself when there isn’t much water available. This cactus has stems that branch out in all directions. It may be said that it slightly resembles a fern.
When there is no water around, the Rose of Jericho will coil in on itself and start to shrivel, assuming a grey-green appearance as it struggles to save itself. It stays like this until the next storm before unfolding once again to take in the rain.
This Plant Can Help with Rodents Control
Compared to the other pitcher plants covered on this website, the one that consumes rats is unique. These pitcher plants were expert bug eaters. But because of its size, this plant can really consume a whole rat.
It is among the largest meat-eating plants in the world, standing at over four feet tall. As opposed to using scents to attract their prey, they use honey to entice animals to drink. But as soon as they do, they become caught in the sticky sap and are consumed by the plant’s acidic liquids.
Plant that Suffocates and Kills Its Victims
The pitcher plant is one of the carnivorous plants that may be discovered in the wild. In the United States, swampy places are where you’ll primarily find them. The plant receives nourishment from a pitcher-shaped device that is left open so that rainwater may collect within.
Because of the inside walls of the pitcher’s interior being covered in tiny hairs that point downward and are extremely sticky, it is challenging for prey, especially insects, to escape. When someone drowns and falls into the pitcher plant, a fresh meal is broken down.
A Plant That Can Keep a Tempo
The dancing plant, also known as Desmodium Gyrans, is a kind of dancing grass that is found in most Asian countries. The plant may move its leaves in a way that resembles semaphore signals. The movement of the plant increases the quantity of photosynthesis generated by absorbing as much sunlight as it can. To even move the leaves, though, requires a lot of effort due to their size.