Exotic Flowering Plants

• Though many gardeners fill their yards with beautiful flowers such as roses, tulips and daisies, the world is home to far more exotic blooms. Some grow only in small, remote areas far from man's influence, while others pop up anywhere there is room. Some of these amazing flowers can be picked, but others are carefully protected and some have such a bad odor that they would never be suited for a bouquet.

American Ghost Orchid

• The rare ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii) grows in southern Florida, and there are believed to be only several hundred growing in the Big Cypress Swamp and neighboring areas. The ghost orchid is a protected flower that cannot be picked or moved and has proved difficult to grow in captivity. The cream and white flowers have long tendrils and are between 4 and 5 inches long, flowering in June and July for approximately two weeks. The flowers usually appear on tree trunks, though plants may rest for several years between blooms. Pollination occurs with the help of the giant sphinx moth, the only insect with a proboscis long enough to reach the inside of the orchid.

Lehua Flower

• The official state flower of Hawaii, the lehua is a bright red blossom that rarely appears in white, yellow and salmon pink varieties. The tree of the lehua, called the ohia, can range in height from knee-high to up to 60 feet. The hard wood of the trees is often used in building, and the trees grow throughout Hawaii. The flowers have a spiky, puffy appearance, as they are composed mainly of pointy stamens. Lehuas also have long held a role in Hawaiian myth and lore, and are supposedly beloved by Pele, the goddess of volcanoes. It is also said that picking Lehua flowers will cause rain.

Rafflesia

• While many exotic flowers have gentle, perfumed scents, the rafflesia has a stench similar to rotten meat. The rafflesia is also the world's largest flower, weighing up to 22 pounds. It reaches a diameter in excess of 3 feet. The center of the flower contains tiny spikes and can hold several gallons of nectar to attract carrion insects, which are lured by its pungent scent and help pollinate the plant. Rafflesias have five fleshy, spotted petals and grow in Indonesia. There are known to be 16 species of the plant, which has faced endangerment because of development and over-harvesting for traditional medicines. Fortunately, a recent surge in ecotourism has lead to new protection efforts.