When it comes to the world of plants I am easily amazed. From small weeds to massive flowers, I really do appreciate each and every one of them. The more I learn about plants and animals of this Earth the more I see the 2 things bring the same, and in some cases the 2 really do look the same as well…
10 – (Clathrus archeri)
Clathrus archeri commonly known as Octopus Stinkhorn, is indigenous to Australia and Tasmania and an introduced species in Europe. The young fungus erupts from a suberumpent egg by forming into four to seven elongated slender arms initially erect and attached at the top. The 8 arms then unfold to reveal a pinkish-red interior covered with a dark-olive spore-containing gleba. In maturity, it is said that it smells of putrid flesh!
9 – (Phalaenopsis)
The “moth orchid” got its resemblance to a moth in flight, but it looks much more like a bird than anything else. The generic name means “Phalaen-like” and is probably a reference to the genus Phalaena, the name given by Carl Linnaeus to a group of large moths, and they are native throughout south-east Asia from the Himalayan mountains to the islands of Polillo.
8 – (Ophrys insectifera)
The fly orchid is a species of orchid and the type species of the genus Ophrys. It is native to Europe and favours sites with alkaline soil. The name arises because its inflorescence resembles a fly, being totally dependent on flies and bees for pollination the plant’s scent release is a perfect match for female fly sexual pheromones.
7 – (Ophrys apifera)
known in Europe as the bee orchid, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Orchidaceae. The name “Ophrys” derives from the Greek word ophrys, meaning “eyebrow”, while the Latin specific epithet apifera means “bee-bearing” so translated the plant means “Eyebrow Bee-Bearing.”
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6 – (Christia vespertilionis)
Butterfly Wing Plants are mostly perennials native from southeast Asia to Australia. Several species have coloured foliage in the shape of butterfly wings on short ascendant to slightly trailing stems which are crowned by small flowers in lose racemes.
5 – (Impatiens psittacina)
Often known variously as the “parrot flower” or “parrot balsam” it is a species of balsam from Southeast Asia that was described by the botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker and was noted for its flower that resembles a “flying cockatoo”. It is known from Thailand, Burma and parts of India.
4 – (Dracula simia)
The monkey orchid or the monkey-like Dracula, is an epiphytic orchid originally described in the genus Masdevallia, but later moved to the genus Dracula. The arrangement of column, petals and lip strongly resembles a monkey’s face and it blooms at any season with several flowers on the inflorescence that open successively.
3 – (Habenaria radiata)
The White Egret Orchid is a species of orchid found in China, Japan, Korea and Russia and is commonly known as the White Egret Flower. The flower is often called the white dove orchid and to be fair it really does look like one.
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2 – (Tacca chantrieri)
The Black bat flower is a species of flowering plant in the yam family Dioscoreaceae, but is an unusual species in that it has black flowers. These flowers are often mistaken for looking somewhat bat-shaped, are up to 12 inches across, and have long ‘whiskers’ that can grow up to 28 inches.
1 – (Caleana major)
The Flying Duck Orchid, is a small orchid found in eastern and southern Australia. This terrestrial plant has a remarkable resemblance to a duck in flight. The flower is an attractant to insects, such as male sawflies which pollinate the flower in a process known as pseudocopulation.
