Nature’s Five Most Peculiar Plants

Published August 29, 2012
Updated February 26, 2018

Nature’s Most Peculiar Plants: Rafflesia Arnoldii (Corpse Flower)

The Rafflesia arnoldii, found in Southeast Asia, is known by the name “corpse flower” due to the smell of rotting flesh which it gives off. The plant is rootless, leafless, parasitic, and has the largest known flower in the world – it can grow to be approximately 3 feet across. The bloom only lasts a few days before dying off, but its foul scent and large, mottled, red petals make it an unmistakable bloom.

Peculiar Plants Corpse Flowers

Source: Blogspot

Peculiar Plants: Amorphophallus titanum (titan arum)

Amorphophallus titanum translates literally to “giant misshapen phallus,” which is about the most accurate description one could give to this strange plant. Its common name is “titan arum,” but, like the Rafflesia arnoldii, it can be called “corpse plant” or “corpse flower” due to its fragrance of decomposing mammals. The titan arum’s home is in the rainforests of Sumatra where it can grow to be over 10 feet tall. Its flowering is incredibly rare and unexpected, but when it blooms the stench is horribly overwhelming.

Flowering Titan Arum Peculiar Plants

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD75AA9m03E

author
All That's Interesting
author
A New York-based publisher established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science to share stories that illuminate our world.
editor
John Kuroski
editor
John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.