Strange but Amazing Plants

[zigs]

Hmm, wonder what the 2 of them were thinking?

 

[gata montes]

Hmm, wonder what the 2 of them were thinking?

Funny I was thinking that too - perhaps we should start thinking of some suitable captions

 

[claudine]

The last picture looks so funny, thank you for sharing it!
From what I see in the close-up, I think it's something between needles and leaves. It's an amazing tree! It's definitely one of a kind

 

[zigs]

Tree on the right - "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

 

[gata montes]

Tree on the right is saying - " Gosh - you're really having a bad hair day aren't you "

or

" can see you've been playing with those electricity cables again "

 

[ACSAPA]

Another strange and but truly amazing plant that deserves a mention is Dracaena Cinnabari otherwise known as

The Dragons Blood Tree

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The Dragons Blood tree is so rare that you will only find in growing in Yemen and it got its name because of its sap which is dark red in color and is said to resemble blood.
This trees magnificent canopy is the only reason that this amazing tree survives in its desert location, as it acts like a parasol and keeps the bottom of the tree shaded from the strong sunlight.

A truly spectacular looking tree with a really unique look don't you think ?

Those trees are so cool. They look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. The world is so beautiful.

 

[gata montes]

Some of you may well remember this next plant Adenium Obessum especially as the cultivated form - was very recently discussed under the thread title ' Desert Rose '
This is what Adenium Obessum or The Desert Rose looks like growing in its natural habitat where it lives amongst the 'Dragons Blood Trees' on the island of Socotra

I think you would agree these Adeniums are considerably larger than the cultivated form

 

[claudine]

Wow! It looks like a complete different world! Especially the third picture is different from anything that I've ever seen with my own eyes.
The Desert Rose is a gorgeous plant, I love the color of its flowers

 

[gata montes]

Claudine - The third picture is my favorite too - its such an usual sight that its almost as if it were from another planet but I would agree Adeniums are truly gorgeous plants whether growing in the wild or as a houseplant - but have to admit that in their natural habitat they look considerably larger than the cultivated houseplants that we know - like these

These very definitely look considerably smaller don't you think ?

 

[claudine]

Yes, they're much smaller. But in my opinion it's a good thing. As you all know, I have a soft spot for miniature plants. There is nothing prettier than a tiny rose. Adeniums that grow in flower pots are very lovely as well.
But it doesn't change the fact that I'd love to see them in their natural habitat

 

[gata montes]

Ophrys Apifera - Bee Orchid - commonly known as " The Laughing Bumble Bee Plant "

Although this plant is not exactly strange its one that I feel really deserves to be mentioned - as its an incredibly amazing plant - in that - because it can only be pollinated by a certain species of bee and those bees are a bit of rarity - in order to survive and not become extinct - not only does it have flowers that resemble a female bee - it can also mimic the scent of a female bee - in order to make sure that it gets pollinated and apparently it is said that - the male bees always prefer the flowers with the most bee like lips

I have to say I would really love to have some of these growing in my garden and feel sure that there are many of you that will agree - that Ophrys Apifera or " The Laughing Bumble Bee Plant " is probably one of the most adorably cute plants that you've even seen - just take a look at these cute little happy faces and you'll see what I mean

 

[zigs]

That's lovely Gata

Like something straight out of Pokémon

 

[claudine]

'The Laughing Bumble Bee Plant' is so adorable, I love it!
Another really weird plant is 'Hammer Orchid'. It's native to Western Australia. To attract wasps, it smells like meat. Here is what it looks like:

 

[Livvy]

What I want to know about the carnivorous plants is this; How the hell did they evolve to rely upon eating animals in order to survive!? It just seems like waayyy too much of a leap from every other plant for this to really make sense to me. I mean, obviously it did happen, I just can't fathom how it happened.

 

[LouisFerdinand]

All about Adeniums