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Wow, this plant certainly is one of the most bizarre-looking plants on our planet. It is the Hydnora africana, a parasitic plant that grows almost completely underground on the roots of shrubby plants in the arid desert regions of southern Africa. The only part that rises above the desert sand is its fleshy flower that looks more like the head of a blind snake!

hydnora africana flower The smelly, bizarre looking plant Hydnora africana!

Hydnora africana is one of the most bizarre looking and worst smelling plants on our planet!

Ow, did I tell you already it smells like feces too? In this way it attracts carrion and dung beetles, its natural pollinators. The salmon-red flower traps the beetles that enter, only to release them when the flower is fully opened.

Hydnora africana flower The smelly, bizarre looking plant Hydnora africana!

Hydnora africana. Photograph: Martin Heigan

Written by Jolle Jolles

Jolle Jolles is a zoologist working at the University of Cambridge with a love for natural history and animal behaviour and enjoys fascinating others about our weird and wonderful natural world. Follow Jolle on Twitter or sent him a personal message.

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7 Classic comments & 14 interactions on facebook!

  1. Jessica Holcombsays:
    Mar 16, 2011, 19:53

    I am seriously obsessed with your website!

    Reply
  2. Jolle Jollessays:
    Mar 17, 2011, 3:00

    Good to hear! :) At the moment I am working very hard to finish a new design of Mudfooted with new features and many more posts to come!

    Reply
  3. musfirasays:
    Nov 22, 2011, 16:10

    this wbsite is owsum man!i got my every answer on this website!rox!:P

    Reply
  4. Jenny O'Danielsays:
    Nov 23, 2011, 20:29

    i LOVE this website! Hey Jolle, got any interesting reptiles for my report, i was thinking SUPER bizarre!!! :)

    Reply
  5. cesarsays:
    Apr 4, 2012, 0:02

    i love that hydora is there a phone number i can call to buy it?

    Reply
  6. Donna Hatfieldsays:
    Jun 3, 2012, 3:22

    Do those plants grow in USA Georgia. I had a tree cut down were I live and up grows this thing that looks like that picture but in the middle of it down at the basin is a black stink-en tar that smells like rotten meat the out side is red like the one in your picture. It comes back ever so often, I have pulled up most of them and disposed of them when they grow because to many kids live were I do. And the smell is awful. Is it poisonous, just checking.

    Reply

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