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The Amazon rainforest is truly one of the most amazing places on the entire planet; not in the least because it represents one of the last areas where nature very much reigns supreme. There are plenty of wild, bizarre, and interesting plant species in this vast tropical rainforest – and we’ll explore some of them right here!
Rafflesia
First off, we’ve got the Rafflesia. This is a particularly macabre plant, one that lovers of the unusual and strange will definitely learn to love. Plus, it’s a plant that has been bestowed with one of the biggest honors in the world – having a Pokemon monster based on your appearance! The rafflesia is also known by many as the “corpse flower”, due to its incredibly intoxicating stench; drawing swarms of beetles to it during the plant’s entire lifespan.
Amorphophallus Titanum
Nothing more than a single look would be needed to determine that the Amorphophallus Titanum is not only a plant whose name is a mouthful; but also one that’s incredibly weird. Its central big flower is something akin to an alien monument from outer space. And like the plant we’ve talked about above, it’s also sometimes called “corpse flower” because of the positively repugnant odor it will give off once it starts to bloom. Interestingly enough, though; you can only see the plant’s blooming flower a couple of times during its lifespan; an amazing fact, considering it lives for 40 years.
Victoria Amazonica
When someone says the words “lily pad“, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? That’s right – the benign unassuming things that are found in slow rivers and beds of still lakes; usually concealing a turtle’s head or holding a frog. But in the Amazon rainforest, there are species of lily pads that reach absolutely monstrous proportions; like the titular Victoria Amazonica. As you might’ve guessed, this plant is native to the wild basin of the Amazon river, and it can handily manage 300 lb of weight!
Jabuticaba
Many of the species growing in the wilderness of the Amazon rainforest have entered the folklore, culture, and even colloquial language of the surrounding countries of South America; not a big mystery why seeing as this system completely dominates the northern regions of the continent. And a good example of this is the Jabuticaba fruit and tree. This is a tree you can mostly find in Brazil, and while its fruit tastes similar to grapes; it looks like some kind of beetle invasion on a normal tree. And it’s unique to Brazil so much that there’s even a local saying about something being as quintessentially Brazilian as jabuticaba.
Nepenthes
Perhaps we should make an entirely separate list of the weird Amazon rainforest plants that served as the basis for Pokemon designs; because Nepenthes would definitely make that list due to its incredible likeness to the Pokemon Victrebeel. But enough about that – seeing as this plant has enough interesting stuff to offer all on its own. For example, this plant’s scoop-like shape is also referred to as a “monkey cup”; seeing as tiny baby monkeys that live in the rainforest actually drink from them from time to time. But as charming as that fact is, you should also know that this plant is an actual death trap for small birds and large insects.
Durian Fruit
You should never judge a book by its cover, or someone for their appearance. But while that tired adage may mostly be used to refer to people’s inner character; it’s also true for plants like these. Considering that, take a look at the Durian fruit. This is a plant that Amazon rainforest locals refer to as something of a “king of fruits”. It’s recognizable for its unfriendly appearance (it’s laced in spikes), as well as its sewer-ish odor and musky smell. However, the actual fruit is apparently delightful, and many in the region enjoy it. The shell of the fruit actually guards an inside whose rich custard somewhat reminds of almonds.
Heliconia Flower
With the Heliconia Flower, we’ve truly got a specimen that’s a beautiful example of Amazon rainforest flora; also referred to as the Hanging Lobster Claw. The abovementioned flower varies in shape, though its colors are always bright. They’ve got a strangely elongated structure, as heliconia plants actually range from half a meter to an astounding four and a half meters; their leaves are also huge, with up to 300 cm in size! The Heliconia usually appears in humid and warm conditions, understandably thriving in the depths of the Amazon rainforest. The chief pollinators of this plant are actually hummingbirds, who use it for nesting and food.
Rubber Tree
For the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest, the rubber tree represents an absolutely essential part of life; at least in the economic sense. The sap of this tree is latex; one of the chief requirements of the modern rubber processing industry. These trees can become quite huge, ranging up to 30 meters in height. When you damage or cut the inner bark of these trees, they start oozing latex. While these trees were originally only to be found in the Amazon rainforest, its seeds were smuggled through illegal means to Southeast Asia, where it also now thrives.
Orchids
Even today, the flower we know as orchid is one of the most exquisite flowers nature has ever produced. Plus, it’s the most diverse flower family on the planet and is comprised of more than 30,000 varying species. These plants come in all sizes and shapes, and they have an extremely adaptable nature. In fact, this is precisely what has allowed them to succeed in practically every climate area in the world, barring extremely cold areas. Just like a majority of other flowers, orchids depend on birds and insects for their pollination. And they’re a vital part of the ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest as well!
Cacao Plant
At least from a human perspective, we couldn’t imagine describing weird tropical plants without giving the cacao plant a mention. And while we know it as one of the most common dessert ingredients in the world, this plant is actually super-healthy, at least in its raw form. If you want to have more focus, mental alertness, and natural energy; make this plant a staple of your diet on a regular basis. It has more calcium than milk, and it’s got the most iron out of any plant you can consume; plus, it’s dripping with magnesium.
Passion Fruit Flower
Many people like to enjoy some passion fruit juice; but apart from that, did you know about its plant and the fact that it produces one of the arguably most beautiful flowers in the entire world? It’s a very vigorous vine, one that’s able to cling to practically anything – and then grow hugely in the span of a single year. While it thrives in tropical climates and likes the sun, this plant is not a big fan of heat. And if you expose it to such conditions, you’ll find it growing in the direction of the nearest shade.
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