Six Of The World’s Strangest Plants

Published December 26, 2011
Updated December 19, 2017

The World’s Strangest Plants: Rafflesia Arnoldii

Rafflesia Arnoldii Strangest Plants

The largest flower in the world, this parasitic plant can bloom over three feet tall. Despite its alluring appearance, the plant exudes a pungent smell and has no leaves, stems or roots. The large center can hold six to seven quarts of water.

Rafflesia Arnoldii Flower

Gigantic Rafflesia Arnoldii

World's Strangest Plants Rafflesia Arnoldii Photograph

Selaginella Lepidophylla

Also known as Rose of Jericho, this impressive plant is native to the Chihuahuan Desert and has an amazing survival mechanism. The desert plant can survive almost complete desiccation by curling into a tight ball during dry weather and unfurling when exposed to moisture.

The World’s Strangest Plants: Mimosa Pudica

Rose Of Jericho

The Mimosa Pudica is an extremely sensitive plant that reacts to the slightest stimulus including touch, warmth, wind or even a shake. The herb responds by collapsing into itself and then reopening a few minutes later. This sensitivity is a result of seismonastic movements, which are the result of water movement in and out of the cell.

Mimosa Pudica

Strangest Plants Mimosa Pudica

author
Mamta Bhatt
author
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.