Last Updated on October 31, 2021 by Phil
The world of plants are flowers are filled with the gorgeous and beautiful. But, there are those rare unusual plants that look odd, strange and sometimes even downright scary.
Below, I’ll take you through some of the most unique weird looking plants you never knew existed. And, you’ll likely be surprised that some of them are closely or even directly related to very lovely ones.
Unusual Plants You Didn’t Know Existed
Monkey Orchid
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As you’ll see in our list of unusual plants, orchids like to disguise themselves to look like animals in order to “camouflage” their look in the wild.
One popular, albeit rare orchid is called the Monkey Orchid. And, this is because they feature a face of a monkey in the middle of the plant.
These are high elevation plants what are native to Peru and Ecuador. And, they produce a lovely citrus scent when they bloom
Happy Alien Flowers
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Happy alien flowers are just like what they sound like. In fact, the first time you see them, you might think they come straight out of a Pixar animation film.
These are orange-yellow colored plants that look like they’re always smiling because of the white bar on the lower end.
The top of the flower looks like a neck and face which reminds you of some kind of cartoon alien.
Interestingly, their shapes attracts hummingbirds.
Rafflesia
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The Rafflesia looks like something that belongs in a Super Mario Bros. game. It is one of the largest flowers in the world growing up to 3 feet in diameter and as heavy as 22 pounts.
It is also unique in a few ways. Among these is that is does not have roots or leaves. instead, it grows directly out of a lower stem.
The middle is also like a black hole with large polka dot petals spreading outwards.
Finally, it is a parasite. As such, it does not create it owns food from the sun. Instead, it sucks on a host that belongs to the grape vine family.
And no, it does not eat humans although you might think the hole in its core can swallow an entire person.
Hooker’s Lips
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From the odd, our unusual plants list goes to the almost unmentionables. Fortunately, it’s just in the name.
Once you see the plant, you’ll instantly know why its named as such.
It looks like puffy red lips that are ready to give you a kiss. Although these lips seem like they had a bit too much botox or something similar to what the reality TV people or social media influencers often do to their lips.
Venus Flytrap
The venus flytrap is probably the most well-known among our list of unusual plants. In part because, you’ve likely seen in it TV shows, movies or cartoons.
This is an interesting character because it has a unique yet lovely look. It is also carnivorous. But don’t worry it only eats insects and not people like you’d see in movies.
The venus flytrap also happens to be a favorite of kids as they can observe it “take in” insects like spiders that crawl into its mouth.
White Baneberry
White baneberry may resemble a few different things. At first glance I though it looked like one of those DNA or compound models you see in high school chemistry labs.
But, many people will argue that its fruits look more like doll’s eyes which is where it gets its other name.
Some will say the white fruits look like marshmallows, although they all do have that black dot.
In any case, these are lovely looking plants because of their thick red stems.
But whatever you do, never eat the fruits as they are poisonous.
Flying Duck Orchid
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For as lovely as orchids look, the odd animal shapes they come in will tell you that plant survival depends more on your ability to camouflage or make yourself look like something in order to live.
Such is the case with the flying duck orchid which looks like a red duck that’s in action.
This plant has evolved to look and smell like insects in order to attract their male counterparts. The result is to mate with he flowers which results in cross fertilization.
So, while it looks like a duck, it isn’t really a duck. Instead, it’s supposed to be an insect but is actually an orchid.
Again, strange but you do what you got to do to survive.
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Lamb’s Ears
Lamb’s ears are bizarre looking no doubt. But, they are also one of the better known unusual plants.
You’ll likely heard of them or have some across them.
They get their name from their furry foliage that looks like the earns of the animal. While you’ll instantly notice this odd texture close up, it is not that obvious from afar.
As such, to a degree, they can get away looking like a regular plant from a distance.
King Pitcher Plant
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King pitcher plants are bigger, weirder looking versions of the common pitcher plant.
And it is rare as it is odd. From what I’ve gathered, you’ll only find it in North Borneo specifically in one place called Mount Kinabalu.
I’m not sure if you need to scale up that mountain to see it, but people say it only grows there nowhere else.
King pitcher plants are carnivorous. And, they have that wide trap opening to help them catch their prey. Again, they don’t eat humans, so you’re safe if you happen to see one.
From its name you already know they’re big. They grow to over 1.5 feet in size.
Bat Plant
From the weird and strange, we get to something a bit more scary looking.
This is why the bat plant is sometimes called the Devil flower.
That said, these are warm weather plants that are used to Southeast Asian forest environments.
Because of its bat-like resemblance, it creates a realistic Halloween decoration.
Arum Dioscoridis
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Arum Dioscoridis belong to the Araceae family. As such, you might see some resemblance to philodendrons, aglaonemas and the ZZ plant all of which belong o that same family.
Monsteras are another popular foliage plant that’s an arum.
In any case, this plant is odd, unique and beautiful all rolled into one.
Baobab
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As far as trees go, the baobab is among the strangest looking you’ll find. There are quite a bit of them so you’ll see a few variants.
But, they all are similar in that have huge thick trunks that are disproportionate to their branches and leaves.
Often when we think of trees, the branches and leaves take up space. But, that’s not the case here.
Its wide, thick look is why it is called the bottle. Interestingly, it can hold 300 or so liters and water and will live to around 500 years old.
Carrion Flower
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The Carrion flower is also called Stapelia gigantea. It is a star-shaped succulent that looks like it belongs in the ocean more than it does in wilderness.
Like many other plants, it uses its looks, scent and other features to help it survive. With this one, you have that odd rotting meat smell. And, from your kitchen adventures you know what that attracts.
Flies!
Yes, flies act as the plant’s pollinator. And, these help it spread and survive.
It also has a leathery texture that will remind of an animal’s.
Giant Pelican Flower
The giant pelican flower is another plant that uses its looks, scent and unique hairy features to pollinate.
It has a huge opening and hairs that take in insects that get a whiff of its pungent smell. You and I won’t like its aroma. But, flies and insects certain do. And, its uses the to lure them for pollination.
Bee Orchid
This is another odd looking orchid that’s evolved as such in order to help with pollination.
As you already know, bees play a big part in helping many plants spread. And by disguising itself as a bee, it is able to trick male bees to think it is a female bee.
It uses its looks along with its fragrance to do so. As a result, it is able to self-pollinated.
Skull Seed Heads
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We leave one of the oddest looking plants for last. These look like scary skull Halloween décor.
But more interestingly, they are actually the seed pods of snapdragon plant which are amazing to look at thanks to their form and colors.
I guess the saying “beauty is skin deep” kind of applies in this instance.
