Buzz
As spring blossoms, it's impossible to ignore the stunning transformation of the world. Trees sprout fresh leaves, and an array of colorful flowers follows suit. Butterflies and hummingbirds flit about, bringing an end to the somber mood of winter. This is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. In this list, we'll explore a selection of incredible flowers, though, unfortunately, you might not be able to see them this spring. These flowers are rare, endangered, and in some cases, extinct in the wild. Their rarity often stems from human activities disrupting the balance of nature. For instance, when humans construct a dam, it stops a river from flowing freely, which hampers the breeding of certain frogs or fish. This disrupts a bird's food source, leading to the inability to pollinate specific flowers, and eventually, their extinction. This chain of events from dam-building illustrates how humanity's actions can wipe out entire species. Despite the reasons behind their rarity, these plants are incredibly scarce, and witnessing one in person should be a remarkable event.
10. Jade Vine Strongylodon macrobotrys
The jade vine is a rare, woody vine native to the tropical rainforests of the Philippines. Part of the pea and bean family, it shares a close relationship with kidney beans. The vine produces claw-shaped flowers that grow in hanging clusters, some reaching lengths of up to three meters. These flowers can range in color from blue-green to mint green. Unfortunately, the jade vine has proven incredibly difficult to propagate, and it is now considered an endangered species due to habitat destruction and a decline in its natural pollinators.
9. Corpse Flower Rafflesia arnoldii
This remarkable flower is primarily found in the lowland tropical rainforests of Indonesia. Known as one of the world’s rarest and largest flowers, the Rafflesia can grow to over a meter in diameter. Its survival is entirely reliant on a particular vine called the Tetrastigma vine. As a parasitic plant without stems, leaves, or roots, the Rafflesia depends on the vine for both nourishment and structural support. Furthermore, it is a carrion plant, meaning it emits a foul odor of rotting flesh when it blooms, which attracts flies and carrion beetles for pollination. Unfortunately, once it blooms, the flower lasts only for about a week before wilting.
8. Gibraltar Campion Silene tomentosa
This variety of Campion is incredibly rare and only grows on the steep cliffs of Gibraltar. In the 1980s, the global scientific community believed the plant to be extinct, but the Gibraltar botanical section was aware that a few specimens still remained. Unfortunately, by 1992, the plant had completely disappeared and was declared extinct. However, in 1994, a lone specimen was found by a climber on the inaccessible cliffs, and the species was revived. It was later propagated at the Millennium Seed Bank, and today, specimens are cultivated at The Almeda Gibraltar Botanic Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens in London.
7. Franklin Tree Franklinia alatamaha
This tree belongs to the tea family but is the only known species in its genus, making it a highly rare flowering plant. Native to the Altamaha River valley in Georgia, the tree has been extinct in the wild since the early 19th century. It remains known today thanks to the Bartram family, passionate horticulturists who propagated the tree before it vanished from the wild. With its fragrant white flowers and bright red leaves in the fall, the Franklin tree is now a sought-after ornamental plant. Every living specimen of this tree is descended from one of those cultivated by the Bartrams.
6. Parrot’s Beak Lotus berthelotii
This stunning flower has been considered incredibly rare since 1884. It is believed to be entirely extinct in the wild, though there may be a few remaining individuals. Native to the Canary Islands, it is thought to have originally been pollinated by sunbirds, which have long since disappeared from the islands. This could be one of the reasons the plant is so scarce. Efforts have been made to find alternative pollinators in hopes of reintroducing the species, but as of 2008, no fruit has been successfully produced. However, the Parrot's beak is cultivated in the horticultural trade, making it possible for you to own one yourself!
5. Chocolate Cosmos Cosmos atrosanguineus
This deep red to brown variety of Cosmos is native to Mexico but has been extinct in the wild for over a century. The species lives on today as a single sterile clone, propagated in 1902 through vegetative methods. The flowers, which are about 3-4 cm in diameter, display a rich deep red to brown hue and emit a delightful vanillin fragrance during the summer—similar to the scent found in vanilla beans, some coffee beans, and certain cacao beans. This makes it a lovely ornamental plant as well.
4. Koki’o Kokai cookei
This exceptionally rare tree is native to Hawaii. Discovered in 1860, there were only three specimens at the time. The tree proved extremely difficult to propagate, and by 1950, after the death of the last seedling, it was considered extinct. In 1970, a lone survivor was discovered, but tragically, it was destroyed in a fire in 1978. Fortunately, a branch from that last tree was preserved and grafted into 23 living trees, which can now be found in various locations throughout Hawaii. The Kokai is a small tree, reaching about 10-11 meters in height. Its most notable feature is the abundance of vibrant red flowers that mature trees produce annually—a sight few people will have the privilege of witnessing.
3. Middlemist Red Middlemist camellia
This is likely the rarest flowering plant on the planet, with only two known specimens. One is located in a garden in New Zealand, while the other is kept in a greenhouse in Britain. The plant was brought to Britain from China in 1804 by John Middlemist (the plant is named after him). Since then, it has been completely wiped out in China. The plant in Britain remained barren for many years and has only recently begun to produce flowers. Despite its name, the flowers are bright pink and resemble roses. It is highly likely that other examples of this plant still exist in private gardens, unknown to their owners, as it was once sold directly to the public by John Middlemist.
2. Ghost Orchid Epipogium aphyllum
The Ghost Orchid is a fascinating and extremely rare plant that was thought to be extinct for nearly 20 years, only to resurface recently. Its rarity is largely due to the fact that it cannot be propagated. It lacks leaves, does not rely on photosynthesis, and does not produce its own food. Much like the Lady Slipper, it needs a specific fungus to be in close contact with its root system to survive. The Ghost Orchid never grows leaves, so it is entirely dependent on this fungus for nourishment. It can live underground for years without showing any signs of life, blooming only when the conditions are perfect. This is why orchid enthusiasts may search for it for years without success, just hoping to catch a glimpse of this elusive flower.
1. Yellow and Purple Lady Slippers Cypripedium calceolus
This extremely rare wild orchid is found throughout Europe, with the only remaining specimen in Britain located on a golf course. Once widespread, it has been under strict police protection since 1917. A single cutting of this plant can be sold for up to US$5000 due to its difficulty in propagation. Its seeds lack the necessary nutrients for growth, so the plant relies on a symbiotic relationship with a specific fungus to provide it nourishment. Once the plant matures and its leaves are capable of producing nourishment, the fungus will also sustain itself off the plant. There are numerous types of Lady Slipper orchids, many of which are rare, but this particular variety features dark purple to reddish-brown tendrils with a bright yellow “slipper” or “moccasin” shape.
