Nature is full of marvels and it never ceases to astonish us. Every day more species of fauna and flora are discovered each with particularities and aspects that make them unique.
Here is the testament. There are more than 400 000 species of plants on the planet. Among them, a small group stands out from the rest for showing very strong similarities with some animal species. Below, you will find information about 6 exotic plants that will surprise you.
1. Dracula simia – a monkey face orchid
Sergio lub/Flickr
It grows between 1200 and 2000 meters above sea level. Dracula simia is a downright cute flower also known as monkey face orchid found in high areas of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Its aroma resembles that of a ripe orange and is not a typical seasonal flower, as it can bloom at any time in its natural habitat. Its comparison with a monkey’s face is due to the arrangement of its spine, its petals and its pink and white lip. The underside is purple and the pistils draw the muzzle of a monkey.
2. Ophrys apifera – the bee orchid
Garden Manage
Found in Europe and Western Asia the Ophrys Apifera is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Orchidaceae usually around a foot tall and gets its name bee orchid from a lip that mimics (In biology, the term ‘mimicry’ refers to cases where natural selection has favoured a resemblance between individuals of different species, and there are numerous examples of orchid flowers that resemble their insect pollinators). The female bee has three lobes that have fine silky hairs. Its colour is dark brown and has some spots of the same tone, but lighter. It also has white and yellow lines.
3. Anigozanthos manglesii looks like kangaroo paw
Wikipedia
A kangaroo paw is a group of 12 species of perennial plants which produce multiple green and red, velvety flowers from late winter through spring. The clusters of flowers resemble the paws of a certain famous marsupial. The flowers are prized for their bright red and green colours, but the plant can only be found in the southern areas of Western Australia.4. Orchis italica – naked man orchid
Alchetron
This orchid belongs to the Orchis italica variety or the Italian orchid is native to the Mediterranean region in the Middle East and North Africa. It is known as the Orchid of the naked man.
5. Psychotria Elata known as Hooker’s Lips
World of flowering plants
This special flower is called Psychotria elata also known as Hooker’s Lips or the Hot Lips Plants. It is found in the rain forests of Central and South American countries like Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador. The shape resembles a kiss and its bright red colour attracts pollinating insects, butterflies and hummingbirds. It is a flower native to tropical forests and is also known as the Hot Flower Kiss.
6. Impatiens psittacina known as the parrot flower
Deposit photos
Found in Asian countries like Thailand, Burma and India, Impatiens Psittacina look like a parrot and are called parrot flowers and grow up to 50 centimetres. Orchids have three petals and three sepals and are a very distinctive group of plants. The flower is pale purple and carmine red, which is shaped like a flying parrot when viewed from the side.
7. Caleana major known as the large duck orchid
Doug ford/Flickr
Native to Australia, Caleana Major known as the flying duck orchid grows around 40 centimetres in height and is characterized by a colouration between red and green tones. On a single branch, 5 to 7 flowers can bloom, especially between spring and summer. Its unique appearance makes its lip and lip look like a flying duck that attracts male ducks.
8. Peristeria elata known as the flower of Holy Spirit
Wikipedia
The thick, waxy, and long-lasting orchid is in the form of a dove that bears the scientific name of Peristeria elata orchid from Panama but is better known as orchid-dove or flower of the Holy Spirit. It is at high risk of extinction due to the illegal trade in exotic plant species and deforestation. It is typical of Panama, Colombia and Venezuela.
9. Pecteilis radiata known as the White egret flower
Wikipedia
It is one of the best-known orchids in Japan, where it is also called sagisō and this flower is found in China, Japan, Korea and Russia. It is distinguished by the peculiar white colour and the shape of its flowers. The lateral lobes of the lip resemble a heron and its petals simulate the wings of this bird, with which in some cases it shares habitat. The rarely found flower’s natural habitat is the mountain areas where it grows at an altitude of about 1500 meters.
10. Christia vespertilionis known as the Red Butterfly Wing
Aarti kale
Looking a lot like a swarm of butterflies in flight, the red butterfly wing is a rare tropical flower from Southeast Asia and can grow up to 60 – 120 cm tall. Despite its rarity, it is reported that it is very easy to grow, although fresh seeds can be difficult to obtain.
11. Ophrys insectifera known as the fly orchid
Britannica
Like the bee orchid, the fly orchid relies on insects that mistakenly try to mate with it for pollination and is very easy to identify. Although, in this case, it attracts male wasps and bees, producing a scent that mimics female sex pheromones, while the flower itself resembles a fly.
Nature still hides many secrets and species of amazing plants and animals to be discovered, however, man is usually the biggest threat to these exotic flowers that fill their natural habitats with beauty and mysticism.
Source: Indiatimes.com
