mysterious plants ..... - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**wMceqj7F** · 02-24-2009, 06:51 PM

Tyrone got me started! Thought this might make an interesting thread! OK now I'm curious - is there a plant/flower that comes to your mind as being mysterious? and why?

**Theariwinna** · 02-24-2009, 07:28 PM

Without a doubt, Monotropa uniflora and hypopithys...they're mycorrhizal "parasites" and have no chlorophyll, so they're ghostly pale (and bruise black). The shape is certainly mysterious as well, and of course they grow in dark places.

**flopay** · 02-24-2009, 09:10 PM

One entire family that come to mind is carnivorous Droseraceae. Sundews (Drosera), VFTs (Dionaea muscipula), and waterwheels plants (Aldrovanda sp.). It's amazing that Drosera and the other two belong in the same family. It's also neet to see the type of aquatic common ancestor that gave rise to Aldrovanda and Dionaea.

Another is Socratea exorrhiza, the walking palm of tropical America. these are awesome 'cause they can actually move slowly by the growth and death of large above ground root/trunk? structures, to fill canopy gaps faster than other tree species seedling can. how cool is that?

I guess they're all cool 'cause they can move, for different reasons, distances, and speeds, but they all can move.

Forrest

**Kubasarika** · 02-24-2009, 09:14 PM

Porroglosum, because the lip closes when you touch it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porroglossum

**Theariwinna** · 02-25-2009, 12:27 AM

This is indeed a cool idea for a thread. I have to also add Brugmansia, Datura and Mandragora...I've long been enchanted by the first two, mostly because of their appearance and nocturnal characteristics. The third is wonderfully creepy and also comes up in a lot in folklore. The gardens here has some wonderful Brugmansia that are currently in bloom (I was admiring them on Saturday) and I nearly bought Datura seeds when we were trying to close on a home a few years ago because I was so excited at the prospect of being able to start a moon garden (didn't happen).

**preachadaq** · 02-25-2009, 12:32 AM

Be careful around Brugmansia and Datura. They are extremely toxic. I have a couple of Brugmansia plants in my yard. Very pretty flowers. Just be sure to wash your hands after handling them.

**Theariwinna** · 02-25-2009, 12:46 AM

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**SzefciuCba** · 02-25-2009, 02:11 AM

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**wMceqj7F** · 02-25-2009, 02:43 AM

This is fun! Most of them mentioned, I find as curious & interesting. It really boils down to what your perception of 'mysterious' is!
I like the fact that Tom gave us a link, that's definitely mysterious!
Now I'm gonna go check out socratea & mandragora!
Keep 'em coming!

**Azzi_Kahlila** · 02-25-2009, 03:15 AM

One of my favorite mysterious (or at least oddball) plants is Dodder (Cuscuta species). This leafless parasitic morning glory relative looks creepy and sinister as it entwines and strangles the host plant. Watching it take over a bed of Impatiens one summer was like a slow motion nightmare.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodder

**Byxtysaaqwuz** · 02-25-2009, 04:17 AM

We came across this 'mystery' plant hiking out of state.
I always thought it was some type of coral root orchid.

**SzefciuCba** · 02-25-2009, 05:55 AM

Lovely Corallorrhiza! That is the widespread C. mertensiana.

**gueremaisse** · 02-26-2009, 01:44 AM

I find most Aroids being rather mysterious!!! I will check for some more to add...!!!

**gueremaisse** · 02-26-2009, 02:25 AM

Also Huernia flowers are really mysterious!!!(or unusual)

**Mr_White** · 02-26-2009, 02:43 AM

To me its the Rafflesia arnolidii, the largest single flower in the world. It is a parasite on certain type of woody vine. The flower stink like carrion and takes 10 months for the flower to develop. The buds just comes out from the body of the host plant and the parasite lives in the host plant just like the movie aliens. It is found from southeren Thailand to southern Philippines.

Ramon

**gghrdfffhfyj** · 02-26-2009, 02:56 AM

Tacca...Bat Plant is one I find fascinating. I must get one.

http://www.rareflora.com/taccachablack.htm

**Kotyara** · 02-26-2009, 07:34 AM

Ramon, those are absolutely gorgeous pictures of the Rafflesia. gosh, u make it sound so painful, LoL!! The buds just comes out from the body of the host plant **shivers** can't imagine how it might feel to be ripped apart from the inside T^T too scary to imagine.

i also second Rafflesia as my favorite weird plant

**Mr_White** · 02-26-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

**wMceqj7F** · 02-26-2009, 05:41 PM

I guess one wouldn't have any trouble locating a rafflesia! AMAZING! Thanks Ramon!

Wendy - I'd like a bat as well, it sounds like they get rather large ....... time will tell!

**Kubasarika** · 02-26-2009, 06:41 PM

They're available on eBay.

02-24-2009, 06:51 PM	#1
wMceqj7F Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 478 Senior Member	mysterious plants ..... Tyrone got me started! Thought this might make an interesting thread! OK now I'm curious - is there a plant/flower that comes to your mind as being mysterious? and why? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-24-2009, 07:28 PM	#2
Theariwinna Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 730 Senior Member	Without a doubt, Monotropa uniflora and hypopithys...they're mycorrhizal "parasites" and have no chlorophyll, so they're ghostly pale (and bruise black). The shape is certainly mysterious as well, and of course they grow in dark places. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-24-2009, 09:10 PM	#3
flopay Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 503 Senior Member	One entire family that come to mind is carnivorous Droseraceae. Sundews (Drosera), VFTs (Dionaea muscipula), and waterwheels plants (Aldrovanda sp.). It's amazing that Drosera and the other two belong in the same family. It's also neet to see the type of aquatic common ancestor that gave rise to Aldrovanda and Dionaea. Another is Socratea exorrhiza, the walking palm of tropical America. these are awesome 'cause they can actually move slowly by the growth and death of large above ground root/trunk? structures, to fill canopy gaps faster than other tree species seedling can. how cool is that? I guess they're all cool 'cause they can move, for different reasons, distances, and speeds, but they all can move. Forrest Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-24-2009, 09:14 PM	#4
Kubasarika Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 505 Senior Member	Porroglosum, because the lip closes when you touch it! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porroglossum Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-25-2009, 12:27 AM	#5
Theariwinna Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 730 Senior Member	This is indeed a cool idea for a thread. I have to also add Brugmansia, Datura and Mandragora...I've long been enchanted by the first two, mostly because of their appearance and nocturnal characteristics. The third is wonderfully creepy and also comes up in a lot in folklore. The gardens here has some wonderful Brugmansia that are currently in bloom (I was admiring them on Saturday) and I nearly bought Datura seeds when we were trying to close on a home a few years ago because I was so excited at the prospect of being able to start a moon garden (didn't happen). Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-25-2009, 12:32 AM	#6
preachadaq Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 413 Senior Member	Be careful around Brugmansia and Datura. They are extremely toxic. I have a couple of Brugmansia plants in my yard. Very pretty flowers. Just be sure to wash your hands after handling them. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-25-2009, 12:46 AM	#7
Theariwinna Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 730 Senior Member	Quote: Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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02-25-2009, 02:11 AM	#8
SzefciuCba Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 544 Senior Member	Quote: Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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02-25-2009, 02:43 AM	#9
wMceqj7F Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 478 Senior Member	This is fun! Most of them mentioned, I find as curious & interesting. It really boils down to what your perception of 'mysterious' is! I like the fact that Tom gave us a link, that's definitely mysterious! Now I'm gonna go check out socratea & mandragora! Keep 'em coming! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-25-2009, 03:15 AM	#10
Azzi_Kahlila Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 658 Senior Member	One of my favorite mysterious (or at least oddball) plants is Dodder (Cuscuta species). This leafless parasitic morning glory relative looks creepy and sinister as it entwines and strangles the host plant. Watching it take over a bed of Impatiens one summer was like a slow motion nightmare. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodder Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-25-2009, 04:17 AM	#11
Byxtysaaqwuz Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 481 Senior Member	We came across this 'mystery' plant hiking out of state. I always thought it was some type of coral root orchid. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-25-2009, 05:55 AM	#12
SzefciuCba Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 544 Senior Member	Lovely Corallorrhiza! That is the widespread C. mertensiana. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-26-2009, 01:44 AM	#13
gueremaisse Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 410 Senior Member	I find most Aroids being rather mysterious!!! I will check for some more to add...!!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-26-2009, 02:25 AM	#14
gueremaisse Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 410 Senior Member	Also Huernia flowers are really mysterious!!!(or unusual) Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-26-2009, 02:43 AM	#15
Mr_White Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 594 Senior Member	To me its the Rafflesia arnolidii, the largest single flower in the world. It is a parasite on certain type of woody vine. The flower stink like carrion and takes 10 months for the flower to develop. The buds just comes out from the body of the host plant and the parasite lives in the host plant just like the movie aliens. It is found from southeren Thailand to southern Philippines. Ramon Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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02-26-2009, 02:56 AM	#16
gghrdfffhfyj Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 468 Senior Member	Tacca...Bat Plant is one I find fascinating. I must get one. http://www.rareflora.com/taccachablack.htm Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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02-26-2009, 07:34 AM	#17
Kotyara Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 431 Senior Member	Ramon, those are absolutely gorgeous pictures of the Rafflesia. gosh, u make it sound so painful, LoL!! The buds just comes out from the body of the host plant shivers can't imagine how it might feel to be ripped apart from the inside T^T too scary to imagine. i also second Rafflesia as my favorite weird plant Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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02-26-2009, 08:27 AM	#18
Mr_White Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 594 Senior Member	Quote: Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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02-26-2009, 05:41 PM	#19
wMceqj7F Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 478 Senior Member	I guess one wouldn't have any trouble locating a rafflesia! AMAZING! Thanks Ramon! Wendy - I'd like a bat as well, it sounds like they get rather large ....... time will tell! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

02-26-2009, 06:41 PM	#20
Kubasarika Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 505 Senior Member	They're available on eBay. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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