From every corner of the planet, very few unique and rare flowers have managed to attract the curiosity and interest of botanists and horticulturists alike. These exotic and expensive flowers cover all types of flora imaginable, providing a glimpse into just how distinctive the various paths of evolution can be. The following uncommon flowers are sure to pique your interest and cause you to reevaluate just how much you think you know about the quirks and oddities of the natural world. From the Black Bat Flower to the Kokia Cookei, here are 25 rare flowers that are stunning to look at.
The flower Youtan Poluo is said to bloom every three thousand years and is directly linked to Buddhism. However, researchers have put in doubt the truth of this assertion. The myth goes like this: Every three thousand years the blooming of the Youtan Poluo marks the arrival of a future king, or a reincarnation of the Buddha. One way or another, Youtan Poluo is an extremely rare flower.
The white lotus is called the Egyptian white water lily or the tiger lotus. The species comes from the Nymphaeaceae family and grows in various parts of Southeast Asia and East Africa. The blossoms float on water with the support of its lily pads. The white lotus is also a popular pond and aquarium plant.
The Snowdonia Hawkweed, one of the rarest flowers in the world, was rediscovered in 2002 growing on a mountain slope in Wales, decades after botanists feared it had become extinct. The unique flower was last reported seen in 1953, and was believed to have been nibbled to death by sheep. Fortunately, this wasn’t the case after all.
Shenzhen Nongke Orchid
The Shenzhen Nongke Orchid is a flower that was completely manmade and got its name from the group that conducted the experiment. It took the researchers eight years to grow and observe the flower. It sells for a high price (about €170,000) not only for its rarity, cultivation, and background, but also for its appearance. It takes four to five years for the orchid to blossom and aside from its beauty, it is also said to have a delicate taste.
Sea Poison Tree
A sea poison tree is a large tree that grows on sandy and rocky shores and has large leaves held in rosettes at the ends of branches. The young leaves are a beautiful bronze with pinkish veins. Old leaves turn yellowish. The flowers are delightful puff balls of white stamens tipped with pink. They open at night and attract large moths and nectar-feeding bats with their heavy scent.