1. Velvichia is amazing
The appearance of this plant is not very presentable, but it deserves the title of one of the strangest representatives of the flora. Velvichia amazing has only two leaves and the strongest stem with roots. Growing up, the leaf plates gradually take on the appearance of some kind of fabulous character with a shaggy mane. The growth of the trunk is more directed in breadth than upward, and the adult plant is striking in its size: up to two meters in height, and up to eight in width. The amazing Velvichia lives from four hundred to one and a half thousand years. She can survive without water for up to five years. This herb tastes very good and is eaten both raw and baked. For its taste, Velvichia amazing is also called in another way - the onion of the desert.
2. Venus flytrap
A plant like the Venus flytrap is known to many for its unique traps and carnivorous nature. Its leaves collapse with the help of the most complex interconnection of their turgor, elastic fibers and growth. When the sheet is open, its edges are turned outward, when closed - inward, thus forming a chamber, from which the hairs prevent it from getting out. Irritation of these hairs sets in motion calcium ions and forms an electrical impulse that propagates across the entire surface and midline of the leaf. If the victim cannot get out immediately, its throwing stimulates the inner cells of the leaf, causing them to grow. This leads to the fact that the edges are tightly closed, forming a kind of "stomach", where the digestion process starts. It is catalyzed by enzymes secreted in the lobe glands. It usually takes ten days to digest, during which time only an empty chitinous shell remains from the victim. And the trap is again ready to catch unwary insects. During her life, she captures about three victims.
3. Rafflesia Arnold
The largest and most unusual flower in the world is Rafflesia Arnold. If you want to really surprise your family and friends, plant this giant in your garden. The plant belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, it reaches ninety centimeters in diameter and can weigh up to ten kilograms. It is not recommended to place a flower in the room because of its very unpleasant putrid odor that attracts pollinating insects. The bud ripens for several months, but the flowering itself lasts only a couple of days. Numerous seeds are spread both by large mammals (these can be elephants carrying crushed berries on their feet) and by insects such as ants.
4. Desmodium
Another wonder of the flora is the dancing Desmodium. He is able to slowly turn the stipules located at each leaf. The movement occurs as a result of a change in the level of turgor in the cells located at the junction of the leaf axis and stipule petioles.Desmodium blooms with small brownish-yellow flowers, it is overly thermophilic and requires year-round warm maintenance. Loves acidic soil, but grows well on neutral soils. The moisture of the substrate should be kept constant, avoiding drying out. In winter, you can water after the ground is slightly dry. Desmodium needs strong diffused light, but direct sunlight is contraindicated, which can lead to burns.
5. Euphorbia obese
Very similar to a greenish-brown ball or round cactus without needles. This small succulent plant forms an almost perfect ball shape. It belongs to the rare endemics of the Northern Cape. The uncontrolled export of the plant provoked the extinction of the Milkweed in natural conditions. Today, the succulent plant is protected by national and international legal frameworks. The plant, along with other succulent euphorbia, is listed in the Appendix of the Convention governing international trade in representatives of wild flora and fauna that are threatened with extinction. Therefore, any plant when transported across the border must have an appropriate permit. Seeds, pollen and seedlings of indoor plants can be transported without documentation.
6. Amorphophallus titanic
"Cadaveric flower" is another name for Amorphophallus titanic because of the disgusting smell of rotten eggs or fish. The growth of a flower is much higher than a human. Japanese chefs often use its tubers, adding them to various dishes. In addition, it is ground into flour, from which noodles are made and a special gelatin necessary for making tofu. Amorphophallus is also used in medicine. On its basis, products for diabetics are produced. The plant lives for forty years, blooming only three to four times.
7. Baobab
Baobab, also known as the bottle tree. This word is the general name of the genus, which includes 8 tree species common in Australia, the African continent and Madagascar. The name of the plant was given for a reason - after all, it can save up to three hundred liters of water in itself. Is it any wonder then that the life span of the baobab often reaches half a millennium.
8. Dracaena cinnabar red
Eighth place is given to Dracena cinnabar-red or dragon tree. According to an ancient Indian legend, on the island of Socotra, which is washed by the Arabian Sea, a ruthless dragon ruled, killing elephants and savoring their blood. But it so happened that the old, but still mighty elephant managed to fall on the monster and crush him. The blood of animals mixed and nourished the earth, where strange plants grew, which were called dracaena, which means "female dragon".
9. Mimosa bashful
It turns out that plants are shy, like, for example, shy mimosa. Its leaves are very sensitive, therefore they have a tendency to fold and fall in the dark, from the slightest touch or any other annoying signs. Who would have known that such a deep sensuality is inherent in flowers?
10. Selaginella scaly
Selaginella scaly is called a resurrection flower. She is also known as the Rose of Jericho. Such a great popularity of the flower was influenced by its feature - Selaginella is able to survive after it has almost completely dried out. In its natural habitat in dry weather, it rolls its stems into a ball and opens only after the rain has passed.
