As a plant parent, you find inspiration each day through caring for your resilient and fascinating plants. Getting to see nature at work, even within your own home, is truly captivating. But as much as we find our own plants to be a source of inspiration, the world is full of even more rare and unique species of plants. Here we spotlight some of the rarest species of plants around the world.
1) Corpse Flower
This aptly named large flower emits a distinctly unpleasant odor similar to the scent of rotting flesh. The parasitic blossom exudes this scent in order to lure in meals. In terms of appearance, the corpse flower resembles a large five-petaled red blossom with a yellow central cone. In addition to its unique appearance and odor, the corpse flower takes roughly 7 years to grow before it first blooms. This unique flower was originally discovered in 1878 and can only be found in rainforests like that of Southeast Asia.
2) Tahina Palm
Originally discovered in 2005 by a farmer in Madagascar, the Tahina Palm is extremely rare with only around 90 in the entire world. It is unique because it lives for roughly 50 years then produces an enormous amount of inflorescence. Then, shortly after blooming, the Tahina Palm dies. It’s quite a towering plant as well, it reaches up to 18 meters in height and its leaves stretch 15 meters across.
3) Attenborough’s Pitcher Plant
Although Pitcher Plants are a trendy household plant, Attenborough’s Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes Attenboroughii) is extremely rare, only found on the summit of Mt. Victoria in the Philippines. It’s found nowhere else in the world and there are believed to be only a few hundred in existence, but the rough terrain of Mt. Victoria has prevented experts from obtaining a proper count. Named after famed naturalist Sir David Attenborough, this species of Pitcher Plant was discovered in 2007. The plant is characterized by its bell-shaped pitchers which some experts claim are large enough to trap rats.
4) Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid
Even if you ever got your hands on a Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid, odds are you’ll have a bit of a wait to see it bloom. This rare orchid grows for 15 years before blooming and it’s so rare that it has been known to sell for $5,000 per blossom. In appearance, the Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid contains up to 6 large flowers with red and green spotted petals. If you want to attempt to spot one of its blooms, your best chance is in Borneo on Mt. Kinabalu. This orchid only grows at high elevations so you’ll likely be able to spot one somewhere between 1,600 and 4,000 feet.
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FAQs
However, it was demised after being transported from China to England even after being in its local habitat, so the only answer that would make sense is that it was over cultivated. That is why it is no longer in the wild and is now being captivated.
What plant went extinct? ›
Some plants that have disappeared over the centuries include Strychnos electri, the St. Helena olive and silphium.
What is the rarest amorphophallus? ›
Corpse Flower is the largest and most unusual flower in the world. It's found in botanical gardens that specialize in rare and unusual plants. The impressive and massive size makes it one of the rarest plants we have ever offered to Logee's customers.
What is a #1 in the plant world? ›
In the plant world, the # symbol is used as a number sign and not a pound sign or hashtag. The actual number refers to the approximate size of the container and how much soil it holds. For example, a number-one (#1) container holds approximately one gallon of soil.
What is the oldest plant brought back to life? ›
The silene stenophylla, a native plant from Serbia with white flowers, was revived from 32,000-year-old seeds by Russian scientists from the Institute of Cell Biophysics in 2012. The seeds were found buried 124ft beneath permafrost in Siberia.
What is the most endangered plant? ›
The top 10 most endangered plant species in the world are the Western Underground Orchid, Wood's Cycad, Pennantia Baylisiana, Cabbage Tree Palm, Rafflesia Arnoldii, Encephalartos Woodii, Rothschild's Slipper Orchid, Kokia Cookei, Hibiscadelphus Woodii and Franklinia Alatamaha.
What is the stinky rare plant? ›
The corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) is the largest unbranched inflorescence in the plant kingdom, boasts a powerful stink, and blooms for just 2-3 days once every year or two.
What is the rarest flower of all time? ›
The Middlemist Red Camellia, or Camellia japonica 'Middlemist's Red,' is an exceptionally rare flower with vibrant pinkish-red petals. With only two known living specimens in the world, both located in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, it holds the title of the rarest flowering plant on Earth. 7.
What is the most expensive rare plant in the world? ›
The world's most expensive plant is The Shenzhen Nongke orchid. Marked by their undeniable beauty and charming essence, the orchid variety is sure to make it your next favourite plant. Placed on a pedestal, superior of them all, Shenzhen Nongke orchid both in terms of its beauty and the price that follows.
What is the most expensive rare plant? ›
The world's most expensive plant is The Shenzhen Nongke orchid. Marked by their undeniable beauty and charming essence, the orchid variety is sure to make it your next favourite plant. Placed on a pedestal, superior of them all, Shenzhen Nongke orchid both in terms of its beauty and the price that follows.
The vaquita is the rarest animal in the world and the rarest marine mammal. These porpoises swim in the Gulf of California and were only discovered in 1958, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
What is the rarest flower in Earth? ›
The Middlemist Red Camellia, or Camellia japonica 'Middlemist's Red,' is an exceptionally rare flower with vibrant pinkish-red petals. With only two known living specimens in the world, both located in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, it holds the title of the rarest flowering plant on Earth.
