The Eight Weirdest and Coolest Flowers in the World

1. The Corpse Flower: Nature's Malodorous Marvel

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Scientifically referred to as Rafflesia arnoldii, the corpse flower is evidence of the ability of nature to be both beautiful and bizarrene. Native to the rich tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, and Malaysia, this amazing botanical specimen has become the most famous individual bloom in the world in natural history. The Corpse Flower is quite beautiful with blossoms that can weigh as much as 24 pounds and have a startling three-foot circumference. The plant's widespread name, "Corpse Flower," comes from its strong scent during a brief bloom season. Often compared to the smell of decaying flesh, this aroma is quite important for the floral reproductive plan. Usually feeding on decomposing material, the malodorous scent l attracts carrion flies and other insects, therefore guiding them into unintentional pollinators for the plant. The erratic and rare blooming cycle of the corpse flower adds even more interest. These plants may take up to 10 years or more to blossom first, and following flowering occurrences usually happen several years apart. When the time comes for the flower to open its enormous petals, the show lasts only 24 to 36 hours before the bloom starts to wither and fall. Because these blooming episodes are so rare, both botanists and nature lovers find considerable interest in the Corpse Flower. When a bloom is about to open, botanical gardens all around that include Rafflesia arnoldii species often attract big numbers of people anxious to see this transitory natural phenomena and feel its infamous smell personally. The Corpse Flower struggles in its natural environment. Being a parasitic plant, it depends totally on its host—usually Tetrastigma—for nutrients and water. Many of the places where the corpse flower is found now classify it as endangered due to this specialised lifestyle in conjunction with habitat loss brought on by deforestation and climate change. Experience a corpse flower vicarially through the eyes (and nose) of eminent naturalist Sir David Attenborough for those unable to see one personally. Attenborough comes into a flowering corpse flower on Mount Kinabalu's slopes in the Malaysian jungle in the first episode of his ground-breaking series "The Green Planet," "Tropical Worlds," For spectators all around, his rich description and obvious enthusiasm bring the marvel of this floral anomaly to life. The corpse flower reminds me strongly of the amazing variety of plant life on Earth and the intricate interactions among plants and their surroundings. From its massive scale to its terrible smell, its special qualities draw attention to the many ways in which plants have developed to survive and procreate in demanding environments. As we keep learning about and appreciating the natural world, species like the Corpse Flower serve as evidence of how always surprising and amazing nature is.